Baseball Isn’t Boring
Presser: John Schneider Discusses Ohtani, His Game 1 Starter, Bo Bichette & More
23 Oct 2025
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
John, hello.
Chapter 2: What updates does John Schneider provide about Bo Bichette's performance?
Since we saw you last, what can you tell us about what Bobachet has been able to do? Hitting, continuing to make progress. He's going to do that again today, hit live. He's taking ground balls, running. He's going to do more of the same today. So you guys will see him out there. He's feeling good, which is nice. Still a few more boxes to check.
If he checks those between short second and DH, what feels likelier to you right now?
We'll see, you know, we're kind of coming right down to the wire with it. I could see all three of those things happening, to be honest with you. Just kind of have to talk to him after the workout today, see how comfortable he felt doing everything and make the best decision.
Steve in the second row, John. John, the first third of the season, you guys were scuffling a bit to try and find who you were and what you were going to be. and the last game of a series in Texas, Bo hit a pinch hit home run in the ninth inning to win you a game and it was almost like the lights came on then and the season started.
What do you remember from that night and what happened right after that and how important that hit was to what was going on at the time?
Yeah, there were a few moments over the course of the year, I think, where you could kind of feel some momentum gathering, if you will. That night, I think we had come off a terrible series in Tampa, getting swept there and not playing well at all. So I think that night kind of reset us a little bit. I remember thinking it was
Both of us weren't scoring a lot of runs at that time, us and Texas, so every run was kind of at a premium. So that kind of gave the room a deep breath a little bit. I think that it was Bo kind of made everyone rally around that a little bit. And then for whatever reason, we kind of got rolling.
You know, I look at that game, I look at the Yankees series here in the summer, the four games that kind of You know, we always had confidence, but then I think you start looking around and you start saying, OK, something's something's moving in the right direction here.
We'll stay there with Mike.
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Chapter 3: How did Bo Bichette's pinch-hit home run impact the team's momentum?
And just to follow up on your length of time, like this is the only uniform you've ever worn, this organization, right? This is a quarter century for you in here to have this team in the World Series when, you know, you're a Blue Jays lifer. What's what's that connection say? What does that mean for you?
I mean, for me, I try to take me out of it, you know. But for me, it's really special. Managing the rookie ball Gulf Coast League team and playing 1030 games on a Saturday at the complex is a far cry from this, right? But I think you think about the work that you've done, the people you've met, the adjustments you've made.
This was always the end goal, right, with this organization, that I think that it would – Happen? Probably not because of how this game works and how there's a lot of movement to this job. So I'm really excited about this, but I'm just as excited for guys that I've known for a long time, for Bo, for Vlad, for guys that have been here for numerous years.
It's just really cool for the organization and I'm just thankful and humbled that I'm the one doing it, leading them into the World Series.
Up front on your left, Ben.
Hey, John. What can you share about your plans for the starting rotation? I can share that Trey Yusavis will pitch game one, and we will announce game two probably a little bit later today. And I'm sure I'll talk to you guys again at some point today or tomorrow, and we'll go from there. Is Chris Bassett a part of those discussions, or is he more leverage relief like we saw in the CS?
Most likely, Chris will stay in the bullpen and figure out the best spots for him. But he's, I think, throwing the ball really well and is in a good spot physically and mentally.
Third row on your right, John. Hey, John. Just to go back to bull again for a moment, specifically Bo and Vladdy, that tandem, you've watched them, I guess, since the very beginning. Can you reflect on their relationship and what they've meant to each other all these years?
I think they've both said it to where they kind of feel like brothers at this point, right? I remember getting them in A-ball in Dunedin and doing a big photo shoot with Baseball America, and they had this back-to-back picture, and we made fun of them for it, and here they are. I think that they bounce ideas off of one another. They know each other really well.
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Chapter 4: What challenges does Bo Bichette face returning to second base after years?
We've talked at length about when to do this. And you got to read the situation. You know what I mean? I mean, they have a great team. They have three Hall of Famers at the top of their lineup. So you got to pick your poison a little bit. But you also have to understand that I think you look at game four of the NLCS.
I think we're talking about a totally different kind of animal here that can do things on the field that not many people can do with all the respect in the world for Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh. So we'll be mindful. I do know that. And we'll try to give them as many different looks as we can.
Third row right in the middle. Hey, Schneid. This is your third semi-extended layoff of the playoffs. How different or similar do you treat this to the previous two in-between rounds?
This one's similar to the last one. First one after the division, obviously a little bit different with some simulated games and crowd noise. This one, very similar to before the CS. It's a regular workout yesterday with some live ABs. Today's going to be a little bit of the same with a little bit more
attention to detail from a defensive standpoint, and then some more live ABs that will try to recreate some situations. So I think all of the fundamental stuff you feel good about, we've just done it in real time. Just trying to keep the rhythm and timing of guys in the batter's box.
And what does this look like for Louie after throwing so many times in the first two series? What has his last couple of days been?
I think he's been in the float tank with cucumbers in his eyes, getting a foot rub. These were good off days for him. Again, I think that Louie's a unique guy to where he is not going to back down from a challenge. He knows how we're going to be asking him to be used again. What he did, you know, so far, 10 out of 11 games being in is remarkable. So these off days have been good for him.
He hasn't gotten off the mound, I can tell you that. So he'll be ready to go tomorrow.
Go to Rob in the fifth row on your left. Hey, John, I think you'd agree that not much has phased this team throughout the season. Tomorrow night the lights will be brighter than they've ever been. How does that translate?
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