‘Hot Stove Show’ podcast: Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr, James Paxton and Joe Posnanski
Jan 18, 2017, 9:51 AM | Updated: 11:33 am
James Paxton said his pesky middle fingernail is "holding on really well" so far in 2017. (AP)
(AP)
If you missed the “Hot Stove Show” on Tuesday, fear not, we have a podcast. Bill Krueger filled in for Aaron Goldsmith, who was on the Mariners Caravan, and joined Rick Rizzs and Shannon Drayer for two hours of baseball talk.
The first hour featured an extended conversation with national baseball writer and author Joe Posnanski. The talk kicked off with a look back at the World Series and a look ahead on what impact those seven games could have on baseball this year. Hall of Fame voting was discussed with Posnanski giving his case for just what is right with the current voting process. Posnanski also talked about his relationship with the great Buck O’Neil, and finished his two segments previewing what he thought would be of interest in baseball in 2017. A pleasant surprise: the Mariners are near the top of his list. Hour 1 concluded with a terrific piece by Gary Hill on Edgar Martinez.
Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. joined us for the second hour from his home in Idaho, where he runs Stott’s Fishing Adventures. Mel took a break from the Clearwater River last week to participate in the Mariners’ pitching summit in Arizona. On the show he shared many of the philosophies and how they were taught both at the major- and minor-league levels. He discussed his new-look rotation and what the new-look outfield could do to help it and gave his thoughts on what Edwin Diaz needs to do in his second season now that the league has had a good look at him.
For our final interview, Goldsmith caught up with James Paxton on the Mariners Caravan. Paxton explained the mechanics of his new delivery and why that led to success for him. The success wasn’t immediate; it came in stages. There were adjustments that had to be made with his secondary pitches, but in time they came along with the end result being more effective pitches built off a better fastball.
The “Hot Stove Show” will air again next Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle and again the following Saturday from Mariners FanFest.
