Norfolk Tides 2026 Season Champions Preview

Title says it all - Norfolk Tides will repeat the feat in 2023 and win the IL Championship in 2026. 

Transcript

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Replace them with Sportsman Dan. Sportsman Dan, I know. Um real quick, um uh sportsman.

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All right, what's up y'all? Welcome to episode 19 of the Sportsman Dan Show. Uh I know it's been a little while since I last posted, about eight days. Uh arm issues, all good. I had some tendonitis and uh tennis elvo, excuse me, not tendinitis, tennis elvo and a carpal tunnel, a little twofer. Uh been busy with work, but everything's all good. Uh got some steroids for the arm. Uh was good for my gig off the pregnozone. But I will say this, I was playing some of that woofle ball uh in the backyard with my brother, and I was mashing dingers. So it's a very small sample size, but steroids do definitely help uh with your swing. Uh well, I saved a couple just in case. You know, I got a break. I'm just kidding. Um serious note, I'm gonna try to be more consistent with what how I post. Uh, I think weekly podcasts are the cadence I'd like to do with some bonus interviews mixed in maybe every other week or something like that. Um, as far as posting goes, I think I want to do maybe Thursday or Friday and get more consistent so you guys know when to expect an episode. Um I've been kind of trying to put them out as I can, uh, but uh I'll come back to that. Um but the goal will probably be like a Thursday or Friday uh episode drop. Now, before I get ahead of myself, it's already been two minutes. I know I need to get that intro video a little shorter and I'll keep editing it. The Orioles won today. We're recording on March 26, 2026, and the Baltimore Orioles are undefeated, and so are the New York Mets. Now, concerning the New York Mets, I need to thank O'Neill Cruz for that. Originally I was watching, I'm like, wow, Paul Skeens is really shitting the bed here. Uh, I guess that guy really wants to go to the Yankees. Just watch the replay there a little bit. O'Neill Cruz did not have the best day in center field. Uh, I was wondering how Brett Beatty got a triple, but now it all makes sense. Regardless, we're here to talk about Baltimore right now, and that's because they got a twin versus the mighty, they got a win versus the mighty twins. Uh, I say that a little sarcastically. Joe Ryan is a fantastic pitch pitcher, and to get a win 2-1, you take that absolutely all day. Um, we'll get a little bit more in-depth about the Orioles game, but uh left side, doubled up by Mayo, go to the wheel. I'm just gonna stop this double butt. I'll run it back for you there. Um in the top of the third inning there, this third baseman for the Orioles, Kobe Mayo, who I might have talked about before. Uh left side, double the bigger. I'm gonna make critique of the defense there. I mean I rumble the left side, doubled up by manual, goes to the second. Look at the defense, huh? I think it's a defense of luminary. I I guess I might just be seeing something different here. That's a Jordan Westburn play right there, but I digress. I digress. It was a great team win for the Orioles. Kobe Diggo 0 for three, but like I said, we're gonna get into that a little bit later. Um, I want to touch on a couple more things before we do a deep dive on the Orioles. And actually, I have a Norfolk Tides preview uh for this episode as well as a mail day, and also I want to touch on uh we want to the national for the first time. So uh very exciting episode today, and I can't wait to get to all these uh segments. Sorry if I'm a little too fired up. Uh I actually have a little note for every podcast to slow down because I talk so fast. But I also just finished a league game. I'm in a custom MOB the show 26 league with uh four of my buddies, and it's like three games um for each person with their team, and then we go into a playoffs. But I chose the Mariners, Dodgers were off limits, and let me tell you, I was pitching lights out with Brian Woo, 1-1-0, a grinder. Um, I traded for Yoshida from the Red Sox. Masataki Yoshida has the cleanest swing and MLB the show 26 of all time. I know this is a tangent, but I need to talk about it. Uh, I love this Mariners team. Part of the reason why I chose them was because I'm going to a Mariners game this season. I'm gonna knock off uh the Mariners for every ballpark I want to see. Was it T-Mobile Park, I believe? Um, but I'm very excited about that to go see a home game there in Seattle. I believe they're playing the Rangers and then the Athletics. So I hope to catch maybe two games while I'm in Seattle and also uh see some card shops and get some content there as well. But this Mariners team is exciting, and the way I play M will be the show, uh my buddies hate how I pitch because I'm not gonna throw strikes. I mean, you're gonna have to work for it. So uh I'm very happy with my Mariners team. I think I'm four and two in the league, uh, but I'm talking about that way too much. Speaking of cool content though, my brother and I did a pack battle. If you can't tell these two grotesque gentlemen, um that's my brother and I, my older brother on the left. He's a big Pokemon nerd, man. He always has been, even when we were kids. Uh, he had all those cards. I've helped him sell a couple, you know, just PSA 6s, stuff he didn't want for the PS PC. Excuse me. But it's cool hearing my older brother talk about a PC, you know, like hearing him talk about, oh, you know, that's going to my PC Bombs Cell. Like, we've never really discussed cards before. So we did a pack battle. I got way too much content, so I'm still working on editing it. But it was really cool, like trading off Bowman 2021 with him, and then his uh, I don't know, UCG, whatever that Pokemon box is. I don't know Pokemon, the newer stuff. But um, I tried to get an equivalent box, it was roughly$200 a box for each. It's funny, I chose the Bowman 2021 because Kobe Mayo's in it, and we pulled exactly zero Kobe Mayo cards. But no, uh, there's gonna be some really cool videos coming from that, and I'll be excited to release that on Instagram and YouTube soon. Next, before I forget, and I always do, this Sunday, I will be I will be at the Portsmouth Rivers Casino. Um, not gambling, I will not actually be going to any tables. Maybe we'll place one sports bet if Marsha Madness is on. But no, I'll be there selling cards. I'll be set up all day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Um, it feels like all day. Uh, it'll be a good time. I know it will be busy, get there early. I know more out by four. I don't even want to go gamble. I want to go home. Uh, I can't wait to talk sports, do a lot of trading. My last show at the Norfolk Masonic Temple, my last show, the last show I was set up at at the Norfolk Masonic Temple, put on by 757 card shows. I had the best time trading. Honestly, it was the greatest trades, and I think I lean with that with a lot of people who are like, hey, are you buying? I was like, Well, I'm looking to trade first, and I will always offer more trade value than buying value because you know I'm looking to move cards first. I have I have too many cards uh around me. So I'm really excited to, you know, sell, trade, and maybe buy, but uh it's gonna be a good time there on Sunday. And I this 757 card shows at the casino, they set up the you know, they bring down the projectors, they play games. So if there is March Madness, we'll get to watch it during it. I think we will get lucky for a game. So um I'll be excited for that show and uh make sure to come out if you're in the area, of course. Uh it's in Portsmouth. Um, if you don't know where the Rivers Portsmouth Casino is, throw it in the the Google Maps. Uh it's right by the interstate, uh, which is nice. And I'll be remiss to not cover the mail day today. First up is a winning materials. Those are both game use patches from Mark Brunel and Clinton Portis. What's really cool about this card? This is where after Mark Brunel got traded. So it actually says on there it's a Jaguars game use patch for Mark Brunel and then a Redskins game use patch for Clinton Portis. You got the old Redskins logo on it. I mean, it's just a sick card. Oh, a Brandon Young tops now, gold to 50. He will be in uh Norfolk. Actually, he'll be going to the Tives game Friday. Hope to get that signed. Um, that is a super cool Brandon Young cards. He recently got cards, he didn't have any last year, so I'm really happy for him. Yermel Geraldo, he made the Orioles opening day roster. That's his Topps uh Chrome. Um, what is that? The Sapphire Gold is uh 50. But that's a pretty cool card for less than$10. I think Yermeel Geraldo is a guy to buy now. We got a Kobe Mayo Magenta Tops Finest, numbered to 200. Less than$5, can't beat it. Brandon Young, another gold uh to 50, but that's his tops uh series one. Again, he never had cards before. He's right-handed and just looks lefty uh with with the uh camera. But Brandon Young, that's a guy to watch. He's always wearing like uh Krungamin shirts, he's got pretty eclectic music taste, but uh Brandon Young is a fun pitcher to watch uh on the tides and Orioles as well. Um super cool guy, too, which doesn't hurt, you know. And speaking of super cool guys, yeah, we can touch on the Kobe Mayo corner, but I am the number one Kobe Mayo collector, for those of you who don't know. Um pretty happy about how it turned out today. Didn't get any hits, but uh we've been here for the long haul. As you can see, we've both glown up here. Um anyway, just want to touch on good guys in baseball, Brandon Young, Kobe Mayo, David Sandland. Uh, there's a lot more, but for the sports main day and good guy list. We'll leave it at that for now. Oh no, speaking of good guys, another card show upcoming I meant to cover. May 2nd, Fieldhouse Show will have Howard Johnson, but recently they announced UVA Legends, Chris Slade, and Terry Kirby will also be in attendance. Signing autographs, hanging out, Chris Slade from the Patriots, Terry Kirby from the Dolphins. But if you get a chance, go look at these guys' UVA highlights. They were absolute dogs back in the day. And now it is time for the main segment of episode 19 of the Sports Mandane Show. A topic I am so deeply passionate about the Norfolk Tides. We're gonna do a 2026 Norfolk Tides season preview. Um, as many of you are aware, back in 2023, the Norfolk Tides won the IL Championship. Then they went out in Vegas and they won the AAA championship. They were the best triple A baseball team in the world. It was fantastic. I got a ring, maybe it's replica. That's not the point. The point is, I think this is the team that could possibly repeat it. And when I go into a few of these names, I think you'll understand why I think this. Starting off with pitching, it's like my dad always says defense wins championships. And let's be real, it's it's pitching that gets it done in triple A a lot. There are some names here I need to touch on. Cameron Foster. This guy had a 3.11 ERA last year, acquired in a trade from the Mets. He has legitimate stuff. 6-5, 230, 1999, hasn't quite aged in. He is entering his prime right now. I expect a fantastic year from him in Norfolk. Secondly, Nestor Herman. Let's touch on him real quick. I don't know if as many Orioles fans are familiar with Nestor Herman. 24 years old, 6'3 out of Seattle, right? An 11th round pick. Look at those stats, right? A 1.18 whip, 3.93 ERA with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.09 whip career in the minor leagues. The stuff I seen in Norfolk, I'm telling you, he is different. He's special with his pitch mix. He can overpower guys, he can drop the floor on them. His breaking stuff really is unbelievable. Followed up with Trey Gibson. Hometown hero. Fun fact, Trey Gibson and I went to the same high school. Actually, the keyboard player in my band, the Sidewalk Slammers, had a gym class with him, and uh they're boys. Uh, but anyway, so I guess mutual friend of a friend. Anyway, uh, Newport News, Virginia, so cool to see. Even if I didn't know the guy, and I don't know the guy, even if I wasn't a friend of a friend of the guy, Trey Gibson is legit. The stats maybe aren't telling the real story here because if you watch him in spring training, you know that he throws five pitches effectively. His slider is some of the nastiest stuff I've seen. He must get at least eight inches break on that thing. Um, Trey Gibson, I could probably talk about for the entire episode, but up next, I want to talk about Jackson Coar. And I'll just look at that. I mean, I'm I'm barely through the list of pitchers for the tides. Jackson Cohar, check out these stats. 2025, he had a 2.81 ERA and a 1.31 whip. This guy almost made the Orioles roster. I mean, having him down in triple A, 6'5, 200 pounds. He's been around. Um pick that 1C, the compensation pick. He's still a first-round pick. Uh, this guy is a gamer, and this is a guy I wouldn't be surprised if he has a sub 2 ERA uh his whole time in Norfolk. And he'll probably get called up relatively soon. Uh scroll down the list a little bit more. Dean Kramer, you guys heard of that guy? No, I mean to have Dean start off the year. Hopefully he's pitching tomorrow. I'm recording this on March 26th. I'll be attending the Tides game tomorrow. I mean, Dino on the mound, you expect to win pretty much every game in AAA that he started. Chase McDermott. Fantastic pitcher. I honestly I want to see him at the bullpen. Um, I think this guy has so much potential. I think his stuff is getting really close to getting to where it needs to be in the major league level. Um, I really like to see Chase at the bullpen. I'm really high on him. I think this is his season where honestly it all comes together. Oh, another cool name here. Elvis Power Paguero. So this was a late edition by the Tides. I saw him pitch a lot for the Charlotte Knights. He's an interesting guy. He's one of those guys in minor leagues seems to dominate, but in the majors he hasn't quite put together. But you want to see a gamer and a guy you want to put in clutch situations. He's seen a lot, and I would not be surprised if he comes out and is one of the better pitchers uh for the Norfolk Tor Norfolk Tides. Excuse me, I can't talk to them. Alright, uh finally, I mean, like I said, I'm not I'm trying not to talk about pitchers the entire time, but I I have I'd be remiss not to speak in all these. And the Catholic curveballer, Cade Povich, must be talked about. 6'3, 185. They call him Slim. Another guy like Chase, I would love to see him come out of the bullpen. Now in Norfolk, I do think he should start. This could be the chance he kind of shows he can get a fifth and the sixth inning. This I don't know any other other than, you know, obviously I'm big on Kobe Mayo, I'm big on Jackson Holiday. Cade has a huge ceiling. We have not seen the best of Cade, and I'm very excited to see in 2026. I think him starting off in Norfolk, getting his feet under him. I think this could be a breakout year for Cade. Um I I really I really am high on him. And I think card-wise, you know, we talked about value with Russ. Cade's a guy I'm buying right now. Josh Walker. Another lefty, slept on. I am so happy to have him in Norfolk. I watched him on the Mets. This was a sneaky pickup by the Orioles, and uh maybe it's just to help the Titans win a championship. If so, thank you, Michael Lyes. Levi Wells, Cameron Weston. I mean both those guys are legitimate starters, possibly in the majors. Possibly. Cameron Weston has some stuff to prove, but I'm telling you, this Cameron Weston can't let's figure out his stats. He's special. Okay. Last year was a little bit of a rough year. Career-wise, 3.77 ERA, 1.26 whip. You trusted Cam Weston. This guy's worked as a butt-off uh in triple A last year. And um you know, when you got Brandon Young too as well, who I barely talked about. I think this is the best pitching staff in triple A. In my opinion. I mean, there's guys I haven't even touched on. Anyway, moving on. Sallas Ardone, yeah, he's a solid catcher. He's also a solid third catcher. He had some big hits. Defensively, okay, not not bad, right? Like, I wouldn't say great, but very solid defensively. Um but with Maverick Hanley in there, I mean Maverick Hanley's the everyday catcher. Maverick Hanley is a Norfolk's Tide, Norfolk Tides legend, excuse me. Uh, and I can't see anyone taking his spot. Creed Willems is another dude that I'm super, super stoked got placed in triple A. He uh spent all of last season, I think he went from uh Bowie, uh or sorry, Aberdeen up to Bowie. So I think he he definitely topped out at double A. But he this is his first time in triple A. And for him to start off in Norfolk, this is huge for Creed. I think we'll love the area. Um, hopefully do some fishing around here. But Creed Willem, if that bat heats up, he can be a special piece. Infield-wise, I think we're getting Jose Barrero as well. So that'll be a huge uh key component there at shortstop. Ryan Notable playing a lot first base. Brian Ramos, uh, he was DFA'd. Look, I guess he is gonna come down and uh stay with us. So I didn't know that yet. So that's news to me. I know he's designated for assignment, and I didn't know if he cleared waivers or what the deal was. So having Brian Ramos at second base, he was great on the Charlotte Knights. Um broke through a little bit with the White Sox, but not totally. Big bat, big bat. Um, having him at second base is big, and then Luis Vasquez, I think, is a phenomenal shortstop. I think Jose Guerrero, I think, uh probably gets a nod there with the injury, and then Weston Wilson will probably be our third baseman. He's not listed here, but inside source. As y'all know, Weston Wilson will probably be there at third. Uh, in the outfield, my guy. Enrique, freak a speed, Bradfield Jr. out there in center field. Judd Fabian probably hold it down in right field. Don't sleep on Judd. I know he has an uppercut swing, and you know, the average wasn't quite there, but still a high ceiling on Judd Fabian as well as EBJ Jr. Umsky Noel, Big Christmas. Excited to see him in Norfolk. You know, they say Harbor Park isn't the most friendly for home runs, but when you're 6'4, 250, uh, prove everybody wrong. Will Robertson, haven't seen him yet, so I can't speak on him, but I heard good things. And Reed Trimble, switch hitter, very fast. He's gonna be a great piece out there in the outfield. I I would rate honestly our pitching A. Um, infield, including catching, probably like as tough. I would put it as like a C plus, maybe B minus. I think our catching helps us out because Maverick Hamley's the best catcher in triple A. He does everything right. I mean, he really does everything right as a catcher. You could not ask anything more from Maverick Hamley. All the little things. I mean, framing, making the extra play to get the out, hustling, covering the bag, backing up the guy. And then he was batting 375 last year. So no, Maverick Hamley is the man having Creed there, and then Silas. Nure's not B minus. B minus in our infield, considering Jose Barrera's there, and right now we have three infielders listed, so I guess anything higher than B minus, B minus, it would be tough. Outfield, I gotta go A. Reed Trimble, Enrique Bradfield Jr., Judd Fabian, Jumpsky Noel, and I didn't even touch on Will Robertson. That's an A outfield in the International League. Uh we'll see if I'm correct about all these things, but this is a championship team. I mean, i am I ready to get my heart broken again? Maybe, possibly. But I haven't been this excited about a Norfolk Tides roster since 2023, probably. I didn't even mention Jackson Holiday's down in a rehab assignment. Oh, and Jordan Westburg will probably be filling in too. Uh anyway, they talk about who cares about minor league baseball? Me. I do. I want to see another championship. And honestly, if you don't, I mean I should go get the rep with the ring for a second. But no, it was like I didn't get a class ring, because who does? It's like the same company that did the class rings, but it's got the Norfolk Tides logo in it. I mean, it's like engraved on the Psi with the O's. Let's get two rings, guys. Come on. This is a team to do it. Start off with a win tomorrow. Let's sweep them. We're playing the uh Memphis Redbirds, which is the Brewers. Oh, I'm sorry, excuse me. We are not, we are playing the Nashville Sounds, which are the Brewers. Uh triple A, they got Tyler Black, uh Jefferson Cuero, some good players, but uh no no match for the Titans. All right, and before I wrap up this podcast, I do want to touch on I'll be going to the national for the first time. I'm super excited about this. I'm figuring out what guess I want to, you know, get autograph. I mean Rick Flair, that one I they finally released autograph guests. I'm not sure what I want to do. I got the VIP, the basic VIP, not the the one that's sold out. Um, but Rick Flair, Mike Tyson. I met Cal Ripkin as a kid, and also I'm not sure I can get the Fanatics exclusive. I'm I'm not quite sure how that works. But anyway, anyone else going to the national? Um, let me know. It's my first time, and I'm super excited, and I know I'm gonna get very overwhelmed. That is it for episode 19. I was gonna do this day in history or today in sports history, but it's like nothing good. Um, you know, I even looked for tomorrow, like March 27th, but it's like today in history in 2000, Putin got elected president. It's like last night, not really much to talk about there. Um, in 1917, Stanley Cup final, the Seattle Ice Arena, the Seattle Metropolitans beat the Montreal Canadians 9-1 for a 3-1 series victory. This is the first U.S. team to win a Stanley Cup in 1917. So there we go. Shout Seattle. Um, big hockey guy now, apparently. Uh, thanks for listening to the Sports Main Dance show. And we will be back with another podcast soon as well as uh some more content. I'll try to get some from this card show uh this Sunday, but uh you know, editing is becoming a uh a little bit bigger beast now. So uh I'm focused on getting that pack battle out for y'all. But uh thanks everyone for listening and excited to get more content out soon.