Larry Lucchino

Our conversation would be CEO and president of the Boston Red Sox Larry Lucchino. Is brought to you by Fred -- church insurance it's not the policy it's the people good morning Larry. They -- morning yeah. -- mentioned yesterday at 10 O'Clock -- going off the year -- previewed today's show us at Larry Lucchino is going to join us tomorrow he's either going to be in a very very good mood are very very bad mood this morning I guess I know which one it is after I ordered the ages last night.

It absolutely was era. Producer -- it is is are there a few times at bat in recent months that I've been gone after it went. So it's a particularly nice to because you guys have to -- by the way. I think it was so wrapped up the wildlife that the reds are scheduled but it failed to welcome duke has backed class that we spoke it is. A good to have you back.

visited back you can only take so much beach time it must be a good feeling organizationally from top to bottom to believing your heart that you just very well might have. The most dominant pitcher in the post season this year.

Oh yeah absolutely -- you know how often we talked about pitching pitching pitch game into the game should be changed opened the such importance it's six and Beckett performance was a historic.

You know I was we we discussed this earlier Larry that trade. That you made. The two facilitated facilitate this spearheaded the Beckett Lowell for Hanley Ramirez makes sense and so many levels even if and there are Maris is. As media likes to point out the next -- and last night we saw. Reason number one works he is a big game pitcher and the Marlins don't have as many big games as the Red Sox do and I think. He's been terrific in the regular season but that's now. That's only part of the package does a guy who gets better as the games get bigger and wonder how much of his performance in 3. Was a factor in your efforts to acquire him how did you. -- how much of this did you seek common.

Well we certainly used it we had a guy who who liked the big stage but he -- 23 years old and he he. He has established himself but he did against team that we have to deal with great regularity so it was absolutely. Yeah yeah a factor in the in the transaction we. Finally we had done it's just two consecutive. Thanksgiving day transactions battered and one what is the transaction that involved it Curt Schilling not. Thanksgiving day and -- jet order. -- at all Arizona as India last month. Was now. We was also thanksgiving gave it to death like thanksgiving night so bad that it pretty hectic disrupted thanksgiving but it definitely you end up -- Josh Beckett and Mike -- it's an -- toward that. Well Turkish.

You you know the organization has been criticized for some signings and some contracts of the certainly wouldn't be one of them in fact. -- you have the opportunity yet Larry to read on SI dot com number Gucci store about last night's game and he into something a fine. Fascinating -- will warm the -- of your -- suggest midway through last season Purdue which your rights Beckett was struggling with a ERA around five and it was right at that time. The Red Sox looked at this 26 year old right hander and handed him a three year 30 million dollar contract that extension that with an option New York can't work up to 42 over four years if not for that extension -- she concludes. Beckett would be a free agent next negotiating off more wins over the past three years that would be 51. Than any other pitcher in baseball bottom line the Red Sox got themselves they 19 million dollar a year pitcher in this market for Carl Pavano money.

Gloria what they're low. You know what something could like that that happens not yet player contract front and it was a ticket important commitment from the organization the baseball ops people where where are very pleased with. With Beckett and what he'd done even though he is was not at that stage Beckett in the first part last year. And that decision two to extend them at that time. Both an economic sense also technologically adept with they long term commitment to -- to to a player that is both beneficial to to the -- Ability to manage its payroll but also I think showed a commitment to that the -- he'd like to -- he -- the intensity. You guys talk a lot we all -- a lot about our certain players complained bosque and the he would be like the passionate like that always state like the intensity of the became Peter. He certainly is -- ever flights from that concede the perfect etiquette they ought to Q.

You know I made the analogy early this morning when we first signed on the -- and I asked -- why what last night's game reminded me Alvin I guess our ten years together has -- thinking a lot likable couple when he said it was kind of like watching a patriots game early on you've felt in control you do Beckett was basically unhittable and we're not really worried about losing that ball game at -- and that occurred to me earlier that -- it was like watching the pats game in the last four weeks.

Well -- because in the first it angers so just I was watching the game with a lukewarm at the republic Alou. Little concerned that it is Beckett when he's when he's on. He Eddie he throws the ball at the east all the time everything is it is low strike zone just just where you want a it seemed like he was not -- the first few pitchers shall we look for any -- to it'll hurt you can't exactly that he he said bad. At least -- exceptionally he throws. Is that breaking balls -- change. Yep it is well accident there I think that's one big difference. I think John Farrell -- I believe as -- enormously helpful to -- Beckett at all of the guys who were at the end of the -- that.

They'll follow up question on acquisitions and free agent signings and contract extensions my guess is an -- to -- his contract situation -- if he becomes a free -- you be willing to bring and a pitch at Fenway 81.

Well it's is that -- agreed to track record in. Virtually every other genuine American just as topic that way and RT makes it makes has made it difficult but I would take that as a banquet they've -- like again this series so let's show.

Thank you that you only have to win one more game. To win the series you realize that coach Marty put the Beckett versus Lackey game four game four match up in the books.

Monetary you know you can't you say you how to bass boat -- reactor that -- a presumption.

Daisuke has two chances to win one or Schilling can win one and you in New York on to the next round a look at the numbers the numbers just overwhelming from last night. Back at regular season in his career. He started a 166 games he has to shut outs post season six starts. Three shot out that is a big game pitcher if ever there were one but you do have. Another guy -- in game three it was a pretty good game big game pitcher. I want to all -- game to hear how you're always nervous always anxious. I know Beckett took some pressure off him but how confident are you in your game to stutter as he takes them on the Mona.

Well this is a big game pitcher -- not a rookie abilities classified as or keep American standards and centric oh waited we do it does this but this guy is is certainly not yet a rookie he's pitched a lot of big. They gave it going back to high school. The the games he's pitched. It is eight year career. Japan and so I think this guy who likes the ball and not unlike Beckett she'll make two looks forward to to debate stage so I have it is is poise you'll be with them.

You know what's ironic I think he suffers this year in comparison to Beckett is that it was so good. But he had a better first year in the American league -- Beckett did.

Both that's true it not -- to win than anyone.

If they think about going to six that he -- slower ERA.

And you know he -- do -- team in innings do you think we're judging Daisuke fairly I think. I think there would have told him ask him a B minus or something most people sleep plus three minus. Was it in your mind a Goodyear for --

Absolutely absolutely -- a geeky guys hopeful that justice started the year spring training we talked about -- like 1258 in his first year Padilla just. It was going to be considerable anyone. Particularly so on from expectations too high. And for the the media coverage is going to be so pervasive it it would there was just some or Eritrean position especially difficult to each year and yet he we should to a -- 50 games autistic agencies led the staff that. Experience -- is that that strike -- I think he eight took the ball every time candidate to oh victory just Raiola reliable -- that rotation so that we were very pleased I think it's. It better for.

or it's -- a pom -- here it's hearted you know be critical of anything that happened last night it and lost in all this Beckett. Mania seems to be the re emergence of sing your October big --

Yes your right about that there was an article it -- if you mr. ball talks about Ortiz is currently finally the the chill in the old swagger and now optical it is time to -- club house unit it's. -- leadership just it is style so it is great to have him. There ill numbered the joy he brought to this the region and -- it earlier post -- years. So boy if it is it is. It is great that. He will -- up at surgical intervention I think it's he had arthroscopic kind of things should be. -- major problem for him afterwards but it is that -- this year it's it's great to see him. Hitting your -- a direct that's so.

I know you're busy with matters at hand with a with a series with this post season.

Yes I get ticket requests.

We spend a lot of time talking about you know the future and in different personnel moves in -- well I think people are afraid of Larry's. You guys will let Mike Lowell walked and the reason you'll do discuss. It's -- is is real value are intangibles you know leadership and ability to perform in this market. And and and and popularity for that matter. You guys I don't notes -- sure pure baseball ops people have a computer program that includes those attributes. Do you think analysts say do you think and and I can't discuss whether you will sign him. But is there something you know intangible about him. That you will measure and we'll lead you to maybe break with the usual policy and keep a guy like lol.

well we're back today. They negotiate -- situation over the radio. But that there is -- disrespect to -- about it and to post genetic it to some peoples to it is a gold glove third base. -- started out the year with a few more errors than usual but boys yet. It is stride he hit a couple of place last night it was great. It was old -- based -- strong and pitched great -- and it's all it was a it was beautiful the ballpark like -- slow period. It's their bases and important factor. This is contribution to his clutch hitting. It's difficult to quantify -- you see it over the course CDs. Cheater and any you're right about his leadership people talk Bartow he people ought to want to leaders ultimately that is that the -- Ortiz is one of them. I -- position player I think Michael is is the other. These guys there are port that it won't factor is concerned you bet. Practiced -- you can't -- but Q -- note airport at two -- and see if they -- deal I think the media right at the top the she's seen it agenda.

Larry as you answer my last question I would respectfully request that you please not -- smooth. Political operative that is part of your DNA here

take that -- very as the top.

The government is the most decidedly -- grant you one wish would you want to play the Yankees in the next round or would you not. -- to play the Yankees in the next round

I just don't to have Yankees -- what. In this first round yet and I -- a spirit of the or you know I don't get tired of the related it sold by.

Today -- and it just aren't doing -- Asian replicating the the intensity of the crop of in recent years agencies just wondered at some point -- theories two. It you know failed to live up to the heightened expectations and besides that little changes it is a good -- it is true it is not like political topic for -- I really -- But that we really don't scared as well worry that this year little word about the fans sensibilities it seemed four last night -- fans were looking. Handled that they'd -- he was ended at one -- guilty of that or -- Friday night I don't care little sister support --

Well after last that performance having a lot of people are looking ahead by the way not wanting to play the Yankees in my to just make sure cult of one right in that I think -- that idea Yankees to his -- and sell it to you but it happens at the people yeah whatever extra tickets left it over the -- Baghdad. By now.

Well we needed some but it got into -- tickets we don't set aside am.

Who the -- on those Larry we -- Vice President sir Peter services really that exceeded just just gone.

On the -- personal call -- after you know after I finished 45 out of 25 in the Red Sox nation voting.

Do you know that -- posted know that.

I that's what I hear that's a higher wouldn't it went Dwyane -- did he finish we we've been calling Kucinich -- Perot.

Well there's -- seen the I TV that the parallel there. Actually it is the.

It was elevates them. Both of hotlines that a -- as he did he really finish in the in the autumn and.

Well it was let's let's put it this way they were 1260 not an -- first round and you made it to the top 25. He did exactly distinguish himself of that extra. But of course he's you know it was waiting for a draft that ever came about as they did in the grassroots campaign.

I think -- fund raising sort of fell short as well learn to hate about a Orioles that much. Who was never second not a person who never true in case there's an assassination cancels out.

Oh yeah president miss America I think it can you want that they reform their duty right this actually the second person was regular route Crawford. -- around the guitar playing damn like man. It's a gate gate mr. Ramirez ran for his money.

Larry keep up the good work and we'll talk to download it happy Larry Lucchino today brought to you by Fred -- church insurance is that the policy -- it's the people