ESPN's Rob Dibble is everywhere. Not only does he co-host an ESPN Radio show with Dan Patrick, provide analysis on Baseball Tonight and conduct a weekly chat on ESPN.com, he also showed up in Las Vegas for the Big League Challenge during ESPY weekend to watch the action and chat with ESPN.com users.
Dibble talked about the Mariners, Red Sox and a few offseason moves. So if you missed Dibble's Feb. 11 chat, check out this edited transcript:
Rob Dibble: Hey everyone. We're here live from Cashman Field in Las Vegas at the Big League Challenge.
Already Rafael Palmeiro has worked his way into the final round for the second consecutive year.
Thank God baseball is finally here!
Charlie in Boise: Do you ever get the itch to make a comeback, especially with the money being
"thrown" at some of these pitchers nowadays?
Rob Dibble:
I did have the itch back in 1998 and I went to spring training with the Padres. After six months
of getting into shape, it took only two weeks to realize I was finally done forever. I would never
come back for a paycheck. In fact, I could have stayed in the game a few extra years but I left
because I didn't feel like I was even close to earning my salary. Let me try to put players
salaries into perspective.
If I made $100 per year, and I was paying a player like ARod, it would be like taking 25 cents
to pay for his salary on the year.
NYYankeeFan: Do you think that Derek Jeter was worth that type of money he got? I'm a big Jeter fan
but I know he's no ARod.
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DIBBLE'S FILE
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Dibble joined ESPN as an ESPN Radio host in June 1999. His primary role is on The Dan Patrick Show, which debuted September 13, 1999 and is heard Monday-Friday 1-4 p.m. ET. He had been co-host of GameDay on ESPN Radio (4-7 p.m. weekdays). Dibble combined with Norm Charlton and Randy Myers to form the "Nasty Boys" bullpen which helped Cincinnati win the 1990 World Series in which he tossed 4-2/3 scoreless innings in three appearances against the Oakland A's. In the playoffs that season, he was named co-MVP of the National League Championship Series for hurling five scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out 10 and picking up a save.
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Rob Dibble:
First, ARod is no Jeter. Derek has four championships in his first five years in the big leagues.
Alex has zero. Stats don't mean squat to me. It's how you effect the players around you and
what kind of influence you have in the club house when things are going bad. Obviously, Alex
can't control what team he plays on or how they play, but if you're paying a guy $25 mil a year,
that doesn't mean he's going to bring you a championship. Consequently, Jeter, if he played on
a lesser team in a smaller stadium, a lot of his personal numbers would improve. But as a team
player, nobody does it better than Derek. That's the bottom line for me is what a player can do
teamwise. I think Jeter is under paid.
Ryan Weinstock: What is it like working with Dan Patrick?
Rob Dibble:
Did you see the movie Big? When Tom Hanks turns into a kid. Dan has the intelligence of a
Dan Rather with the competitiveness of a Michael Jordan and he is as playful as a 12-year
old.
Pat: Have you taken any hacks at Cashman field this weekend?
Rob Dibble:
My hack sucks. The only hack that I'm good at is whacking weeds at my house with a sickle.
Mike: There have been a lot of major player moves this offseason, players such as Mike Mussina,
ARod, and David Wells. Also, players such as Jeter and Driefort stayed with their old teams or
signed extensions. I have two questions: what do you feel was the biggest move/non-move of
the winter and second, did the Royals really get anything back for Johnny Damon??
Rob Dibble:
Mike, geez, that's a lot of question. A lot of teams made great acquisitions. I think the Red Sox
were guilty of making the best one getting Manny Ramirez and the worst one by not complimenting him with a great No. 2 pitcher to backup Pedro.
The most non-moves would have to be the Braves.
There is no way you can quantify that Damon trade for a few more years. But the A's stole
Johnny.
Eric: Do you think that Pedro was robbed of the MVP in '99 and last year?
Rob Dibble:
As long as baseball writers have the vote on who wins MVP, pitchers will not be recognized as
MVP candidates. No one contributes more to his team's success and makes his teammates raise
their level of play more than Pedro. But hell, Jason is one of my best friends and I'm glad that he
got the MVP. Yes, Pedro got ripped the last two years.
Ozzie: What do you think about the Mariners this year even though ARod is gone they still got one
hell of a team and I believe they can go deep deep in the playoffs? Who do you think the
Seahawks should get in the draft?
Rob Dibble:
I think the Mariners are going to do great. It all starts with sweet Lou. People said the Mariners
couldn't win without Junior, yet they had their best year ever. When will people realize one player
doesn't make a team of 25 better?
Richy17: What guys do you think are going to be a surprise next year, and really step it up?
Rob Dibble:
First, I think the Colorado Rockies are going to be a big surprise this year. They've got stability
in their starting rotation and a great offense that will be key. I think Manny Ramirez is going to
be the bomb in Beantown. Look for Troy Glaus to open more eyes this year. Mike Mussina will
continue to be awesome. John Smoltz says he's ready to go. That's what Greg Maddux told me
the other night, so look for the Braves to be back to their old shenanigans.
It's 9-5, Canseco leads Helton in the 4th inning. Could be another repeat of last year's final. If
you guys have not turned on ESPN yet, you don't know what you're missing and the finals are
coming up. I'm going to try and get one of the guys to join us.
Craig Joly: Will Rico Brogna do a good job replacing Andres Galarraga in Atlanta?
Rob Dibble: Rico is the bomb. He will put together another 35-40 HR year, over 100 RBI, and play a great
gold glove first base. How does that sound? People didn't see him play a lot in Philadelphia because
last place teams don't get a lot of TV time. But when you see him on TBS every night, you'll
know why this Nutmeg native will kick ass.
The Biggest Dibble fan: Wiener or taco?
Rob Dibble:
I'm all about the dogs.
Tim: Is Harold Reynolds really 5-foot-2?
Rob Dibble:
No. I think he's got a hold of 5'4" and I just gave him a hug and he's pushing at least 150 lbs. I
think he's a bit faster when it comes to food. He needs to mix in a few protein shakes. My
moderator really digs him though. She doesn't dig 6'4" 250 pound married goofballs.
Robby Rob, you are mistaken. Rico Brogna has never hit more than 24 home runs in his career, and
therefore is not capable of putting up "another 35-40 HR year". Also, he has only topped 100
RBI twice in his career. Dan Duquette was right when he said that Rico's bat speed has slowed.
Rico Brogna will have no positive impact on the Braves this year. I'd be shocked if he hit more
than 15 home runs, drove in more than 75 runs, or hit better than .300
Rob Dibble:
Hey, you are right, he never has hit more than 34 HRs in a season. But his 100 RBI years were
back to back before he got injured last year and as far as Dan Duquette, he also said Roger
Clemens was washed up and all Roger did was win two more Cy Youngs and two world
championships. Duquette consistently, in the last five years, has brought in nothing but dead
arm retread pitchers.
Kyle Rose: Who is the most underrated player in the National League?
Rob Dibble:
Edgardo Alfonzo is maybe one of the best players in baseball today. But when you play on the
same team as one of the best catchers of all time, it's hard to get a lot of notoriety. He can play
gold glove second or third base, it doesn't matter. He doesn't talk smack. He just gets better and
better. I'm a big Edgardo fan.
Eric: Should women really have the right to vote?
Rob Dibble:
You mean women do have a vote? I thought women should just be barefoot and pregnant and
in the kitchen. Anybody that would elect Hilary Clinton to office should have their votes
revoked.
Did I just say that out loud? My moderator just slapped me in the head.
Kevin: Who's going to win Palmeiro or Canseco?
Rob Dibble:
I'd put my money on Joseeee
Whitesox: What's going to happen with the Mike Sirotka trade situation, and what's your personal take on
it?
Rob Dibble:
According to the Players Association, the Blue Jays might file a grievance and ask for
compensation due to the fact that they feel the White Sox knew Sirotka was injured before they
did the Wells/Sirotka trade.
I still think the Blue Jays want Wells to go and get some great young pitching in return. Let's see
how Mr. Selig handles this one. I think the Blue Jays definitely have a good beef. But if I told
you everything I knew, I'd have to kill you. Sorry.
TRIBEplayers2001: How do you feel about Cleveland's chances this year with replacing Manny with Juan "Gone"?
Was it the best they could do, or a waste of money?
Rob Dibble:
I think Cleveland has a great team. Even without Juan "Gone." Juan is one of the best power
hitters in baseball when he wants to be. The problem is getting him to show up every day.
When he grows up and realizes he could easily walk into the HOF, he might start playing hard
these next five years. Too many players waste their God-given ability when they start thinking
they're as good as their press clippings.
Sorry we couldn't deliver a player but things are crazy with the live broadcast. Thanks for
coming out to play on a Sunday. It was a great time. Come by on Wednesday for my regular
weekly chat and ask me about the guys in the Big League Challenge since I've spent the whole
weekend getting some great information from them.
Peace out ... see you at the blackjack tables.
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