Tigers RP Kenley Jansen joins FT

00:00:03
Speaker 1: Good to be with you, Kenley. Thanks, thanks for being with us. Appreciate you very much. I want to get your take first before AJ and Eric chime in here. You are so close, my friend, to some pretty incredible numbers that would be very Hall of Fame worthy. What is your case for letting Kenlee Jansen get into the Hall of Fame?

00:00:25
Speaker 2: I mean, you know, to hear that, that's unbelievable to be honest with you, you know, I just played this game that I love, and I play it hard, and I want to help my team, every team that I play, I want to help them win, and all those things just come, you know, with being successful. So you know, just hear my name, you know, get titled to that is just give me such a much more you know, inspiration and just wanted to just keep grinding in the in the in the weight room and and and be better.

00:00:57
Speaker 3: So you know, it's it's awesome hearing.

00:00:59
Speaker 4: That when you're looking for jobs in the off season or teams are calling, if they said, hey, you're not going to be the closer. Is that value? Are you still able to give the same amount of value to a team. I'm not saying you're not going to try as hard. I'm saying like your value is in that ninth inning and I think maybe you don't agree with me, but I think ninth inning outs are way different than eighth or seventh inning outs. But is your value maximized as the closer for a team and then decided on where you're going if they have a closer or they don't have a closure.

00:01:34
Speaker 2: Be honest with you, You've got to be also, you know, realistic and see where the game is going and see how teams value you know, high leverage and just boopen usage. So you know, I know that it's happening. And you know, to me right now, it's just you be the best I can be, and you know, all those decisions is you know, for aj and and and the front office to decide on that. For me, I'm going to make sure I be the best version of myself. And you know, whatever anything they want me to pitch, you know I could be ready for it. But like you say, you know, pitching the night is a whole different animal and me and me being doing that so long, you know, it just give you, you know a different energy level when you pitching that that situation. So it's not like I haven't pitched the seven or the eight before. You know, I did those before I become a closer, and you know, I understand what the game is now.

00:02:30
Speaker 5: By the way, I want you pitching in the night. So AJ want you pitching in the night. Okay. So just just so you know that, speaking of when you were going through your free agency and your recruiting pitch, did you go to Hinch and Scott Harrison say, hey, you know, if you guys would have had me last year, guys, maybe you beat the Mariners because I come in and I'll close down that game five for you guys, because they had a lead and they blew it out later in the game. Whatever stuff happens. But was that part of their pitch to you is like, hey, yes, we had Finnegan.

00:02:59
Speaker 6: He a nice job, but you have you're on track for a Hall of Fame career. Man. We put you in that night then and we can take that next step.

00:03:07
Speaker 3: Yeah, definitely.

00:03:08
Speaker 2: You know it's funny when you say that, because you know it was mutual interest a year before, and you know, I thought I'm gonna end up being there a year before, but then you know everything changed, you know, assigned late, I signed with the Angels.

00:03:25
Speaker 3: I have my mom issue going on also.

00:03:27
Speaker 2: Too, So definitely watching the playoffs last year and you see that, you know they just was one arm or maybe two a way too, you know, maybe possibility to play the Wall Series because I think, you know, they probably could have matched up really well.

00:03:42
Speaker 3: With the Blue Jays.

00:03:43
Speaker 2: So but yeah, watching that team, you know, that's the only team that crushed me last year. I feel like also to give up three homers never happened in my career and one inning against them, So yeah, it's a pretty good team. So I'm excited to be and I can't wait to be to the camping and get know my teammates and be ready and hopefully you can get to the same situation again.

00:04:08
Speaker 4: Kenley, I played against you when you play when you were catching, and then I also played against you when you were in your prime pitching. Do you look at it? And I always ask superstars this, because you are a superstar. Do you wish you could have one talent from when you were in your prime to now and use it the entire season? I asked this because Eronis Chapman's been a closers as long as you have maybe just a tick, maybe a few years less than you have, but he just he is still his velocity is almost there, and he wishes he still threw one hundred and five. Is there one talent or one feeling that you wish you had from when you were in your prime, prime, most dominant? Kenley Jansen.

00:04:52
Speaker 2: I think I wish I could I have the wisdom that I have now because I feel like now I could be a better version of myself, even that consider not my prime no more. But it's just you understand your body. You listen to your body more, and you know, you pace yourself. And I feel like in you know, the younger days, you know it's just one.

00:05:12
Speaker 3: Work ethic, work hard every day, and.

00:05:15
Speaker 2: You know that's all I wanted to do, and maybe that's helped me also to in my career. But if I would have, you know, know the game better and pace myself and and be in a different pace, I think it would have benefit me a whole lot more So I could have get not as tired to get in the in the World Series in seventeen and eighteen. I feel like, you know, those a drag get on in the seventeen and eighteen in the.

00:05:43
Speaker 1: World Series Kenley. A. J. Hinch and I were having a conversation the other day about you, and he said that you've been absolutely incredible this winter, that you've really just said, you know what as you as you told us that you're willing to do anything to help the Tigers win, and that you were so incredible after the bad outing you had against the Tigers, And that's something that says a lot to him that you're so willing with the resume that you have to be able to take the ball at any point because you didn't have to do that. So what does that say when your manager has that much respect for the way that you're willing to change your role just to be part of something special.

00:06:24
Speaker 2: I think it's him changing the culture. I think I believe you know, when you first got there with the Tigers to build a winning culture, and when it comes to the winning culture nowadays, you just understand that the title. You can't hang on titles, so you have to do anything to help your team win. So that's my mindset right now, and that's you know, my goal, and you know my all players dream is to play in the Wall series, and you know I play in three Wall series. Finally, you know, breakthrough in twenty twenty. But you know, I want to get back to that feeling again. And I think they have a really good team, really good possibility to get there, and you know, I want to be a part, So I want to be a part to help help them win. So that's all I'm thinking about. And you know, if they want me to pitch the ninth great. If if it's any other you know situation they want me to pitch, you know, you know, to help the team wins, great too.

00:07:21
Speaker 3: So I'm just going to be open minded on that.

00:07:23
Speaker 2: And yes, of course, you know, get to five hundred is unbelievable, but you know I didn't plan to get to five hundred when I was on my doct days. It's just me being winning the division every year and being successful got me to so many safes. So of course it will be something awesome to have, but you know, I think more awesome to have an it's another ring.

00:07:48
Speaker 6: Kenly.

00:07:49
Speaker 5: By the way, we just showed a picture of you at Tiger Stadium. I'm so old. I played in old Tiger Stadium, so you were you were there after they had like knocked down half of the half of it. I actually got to play there. I don't wish that upon anybody, because it was that.

00:07:59
Speaker 6: You're taller than I am.

00:08:01
Speaker 5: You would have had to squat like a catcher in the dugout because if you were over like five eight, you hit your head on the dugout.

00:08:07
Speaker 6: Yeah, God forbid. If something exciting.

00:08:09
Speaker 5: Happened, you actually were like, yeah, oh gosh, I'm concussed now what that's great? I want to know, are you gonna bring California Love to Detroit? Did you know Anaheim with you? Or is that just the LA thing?

00:08:22
Speaker 2: I think I think California Love. I think it should be an LA thing. I believe you know that song is so you know, dodgy community.

00:08:29
Speaker 3: I feel like, but.

00:08:33
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean this is a great song. And you know last year I had in the Stone within the Fire. So I don't know, man, I even think about any songs yet.

00:08:42
Speaker 3: So we'll figure out.

00:08:44
Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, we forgot. We go to EM and M, so you know, we'll figure that out. So definitely, all.

00:08:51
Speaker 4: Right, you have four hundred and seventy six says for everybody who's listening. Mo Had has six fifty two and Hoffman has six oh one. You are four years behind where Hoffman pitched his last game. Are those numbers when you look at them, insurmountable in your mind? Or you like, I think I can do it. I think I can get there because five hundred is right on the crust, right right right on the cusp, Lee Smith, You're right on the cusp, and I get it, health and everything and Lord willing, you're able to do that stuff. But do those numbers sound insurmountable or is it kind of like I'm gonna get there?

00:09:31
Speaker 2: I think I can get there, be honest with you, like me being competitive, you know, put really good, you know of workout in off seasons and taking care of myself. I think I can get there. Like that's that's the competitive feeling that I have. So well I get there. I don't know, you know, it depends on, you know, the understanding that the game change now you don't have you know, that old fashion a lot no more in baseball, and you know you just gotta you know, go with that also too. But if you ask me truly, yes, of course I think I can get to six hundred. But you know, hell it's going to play a big role, and you know, being the winning team is going to play a big role.

00:10:09
Speaker 3: So yes, for sure, if something individually, I think I can.

00:10:14
Speaker 1: Get there for sure, Kenny, I know that you are, obviously, as we've talked about it, so close to potentially get into Cooperstown. That may not have been your goal when you were growing up and curious how you know, trying to get to the great leagues. But you have an opportunity to do something very special. But how do you think your game has changed or your mindset has changed over the course of you know, when you started as a catcher to being a potential Hall of Fame pitcher.

00:10:43
Speaker 2: It's crazy because everything happens so fast. You know, from being a catcher struggling with with hitting a little bit, knowing that I could have had pretty good at the defense as a catcher, but the hitting was always a problem. And you know, for that transition to happen in nine for me being the Baseball Classic, you know, throwing Willy Tavarus out at third and you know Ryan Brown is second, and you know from there, like you know, Dijon at that time with the Dodgers, the front director, make that decision. It happened so fast because he told me that, hey, he believed that I could be there in a couple of years, you know, with the arm that I have, and you know, if I you know, develop myself and I think possibility, you can get there. And it happens so fast. In less than the year. I'm in the big leagues and you know I'm still doing it so far. So you know it's a great ride. And you know, to hear my name up there now, it is unbelievable and it's just gave me the motivation to keep going.

00:11:47
Speaker 5: Kenley before, I have two questions for you. One, as the former catcher that you were, what would you tell yourself as a pitcher when guys are stealing bases off you like they do? Would you be yelling at yourself saying, damn, can you need to hurry up to give me a chance?

00:12:01
Speaker 6: Or what?

00:12:03
Speaker 3: You know?

00:12:04
Speaker 2: Charlie Hoff told me one thing and that helped me terrific. And by the way, like he make me who I am today because he brings such a joy in pitching for me. You can steal second, you can steal third, but you can steal home. So I feel bad for the catchers, but you know the confidence that I carry sometimes, you know, it helped me a lot because you know, I'd rather trade based runner for you know, a pitch that I can leave something right down the middle and get crushed. So I'd rather make my best pitch and you know, try to hold hold the runner. But now you can hold it no more. So yeah, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta throw your best pitch all the time in situation like that, give him the line so you know you can't, you know, try to keep the runner first and and try to be fast, quick, quick move and then you leave a terrible pitch and it get crushed, so it doesn't do you great either. So yeah, so that's why I will always say you can still second, case, still third, but try to steal home.

00:13:06
Speaker 5: By the way, Charlie Holfe was a knuckleballer, so he wasn't teaching you nothing about nothing, because.

00:13:13
Speaker 3: Yeah, no, but he brings he brings that joy.

00:13:15
Speaker 2: Man, he brings that joy, that fun, you know, putting Nola Ryant pictures on the wall and Roger Klamers are all the great pictures. And you know, learning the delivery and learning how to pitch and man him. I gotta, I gotta say things to him. And Franklin stuffs the hitting coach at that time in hya. You know, those guys just keep motivating and you know I am I am who I am today because of them. You know, they're the one who just started the early version of me.

00:13:41
Speaker 5: By the way, Andrew Jones going to the Hall of Fame, Currosel like yourself, what does that mean to cure Sallians, Nail Okay and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, that there is somebody going from that island in to Cooperstown.

00:14:01
Speaker 3: That's big man.

00:14:02
Speaker 2: I mean, it's the same sensation that what he did in nineteen eighty six, you know in the World Series is that's the same feeling that we get now. It's just you know, for me, it's just get that you soak that feeling in again. It's like you know, always growing up me growing up a Brace fan before him, you know, big Fred mcgraer fan, by the way. And when Andrew got called up, you know still you know, it was crazy. It was crazy watching him get his first hit against the Pheelies. I believe, yes, And you know it's NLCS game against the Cardinals and get to the World Series hit the two homers you know in Game one.

00:14:42
Speaker 3: You know, to me, it's just make all of us believe.

00:14:45
Speaker 2: And that's the feeling that I get now that now him going to Hall of Fame, it's just give me that belief now that who knows, you know, maybe I could be a part of that too. So you know, it's great watching him and it just made me so happy. And yeah, one of the greatest probably you know, defensively center field, I've ever done it. You know, play so shallow and make every every play routine. So yeah, it's a blessing watching him play back in the days. And you know he said the it's you know, he paid, He paved the way for us, set the stone for us. And now you know, a lot a lot more players from cures I'll get to enjoy, you know, their dream and playing in such a level in Major League.

00:15:25
Speaker 4: Okay, three three parts here. First of all, Bam, Bam Hensley Mullins, he paved the way. Make sure you don't say it was Andrew, because he taught Andrew. He will be pissed at you if he heard you say.

00:15:37
Speaker 2: Understand that, hey like the first one and got there, you know, so, but you know, I think you know it's it's it's iconic and Jones is just such an iconic man what he did, so I'm definitely not gonna you know, like I have to thank Bam bam for all those years that you know they said baseball clinics. You know, back then I was little going to those clinics and you know, see guys like Andrew and you know more Goush can major league you know, be there, and yeah, he helped contribute big time. But you know, Andrew is such an iconic player that, you know, make all of us believe, you know, with with with his sensation that he did diving catch and right field and I forgot the name why now of the Braves stadium right now? But yeah, he was great. Man, he was great. He's such an iconic player for Austin KASA and you know, he make us believe.

00:16:34
Speaker 4: Turner Field all right?

00:16:35
Speaker 6: Two part questions?

00:16:37
Speaker 3: What's Full County Stadium?

00:16:38
Speaker 4: Sorry, Fulton County Stadium? So before Turner Field before two part question? Can you confirm that you are pitching for the Netherlands? Confirm or deny?

00:16:49
Speaker 2: Yes, confirm I will pitch for the Yes.

00:16:54
Speaker 4: What does it mean to put that jersey on? Because you just are so happy that Andrew Jones made it and you've looked up to you know, guys like Bam Bam, you remember, guys like you know that that have played in the big leagues. All the guys that you came up with. What does it mean to put that jersey on for you of of your you know caresal but the Netherlands jersey.

00:17:17
Speaker 3: I mean it means a lot. That's how my dreams start.

00:17:20
Speaker 1: You know.

00:17:21
Speaker 2: I feel like, you know, it's something for me to say thank you to them that gave me the opportunity, you know, to showcase myself also to in Baseball Classic and on line that you know, makes me become a picture that now you know, it's gonna be my seventeen season in the big league. So it's definitely that, you know, that's why I wanted to go play for Netherlands one more time and to just you know, remember where it starts. So especially for Andrew, you know, I know he become a manager also too, and you know last year when he was playing Atlanta in Atlanta, you know, he came and talked to me and I told them, for sure, yeah you can call me in So yes, that's what I'm doing it for. So It's also thank you for you know, to the Netherlands and cures how for you know, help me, you know, start my dream also too.

00:18:15
Speaker 1: Yeah, I went there last year. Beautiful place, beautiful, beautiful place. Can you deny or confirm that the air conditioning in Anaheim was terrible at Angels Stadium?

00:18:27
Speaker 3: Well, I don't know about that.

00:18:29
Speaker 2: I didn't pay attention, you know, so sometimes we live in my own world, so I don't know if if the ac was bad or are good, But definitely some some some some help over there.

00:18:40
Speaker 1: Yeah, ken Lee, we appreciate you so much. You're so close to being in the Hall of Fame, but you're a hall of Fame person. I've truly been blessed to cover your career for the majority of it. And thanks for taking the time to come on the show today. Tell Gianni and the kids. We said hello, We're looking forward to see what you can do in Detroit. We appreciate you very much. Thanks for went on, my friend.

00:19:01
Speaker 3: Thanks for having me.

00:19:02
Speaker 1: Thank you.

00:19:08
Speaker 5: M