Weekly interview with Terry Francona

Each and every Wednesday at this time we talked with a manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona joins us on the line -- Terry. Hey guys I don't let -- I'm tired I don't rattle him. I've moved I didn't much prospect to love the third -- tall and think. I don't mean to break your heart like completely forgotten. I want on the field -- didn't bungled it and talked for the players won't all like garlic Mediterranean -- was like you --

I don't wear it I -- I have to ask you about one thing known yet -- watching yesterday to a little press thing. And I don't know what was going on offstage right there but I -- one point say are you point me what was going on over there.

You he's had had stuck his head in the door. And I I always took David what -- as a bona reportedly the only tells me and I think it's probably true. What about there was an umpire the minute they point at me I usually don't go can't state of the game so big point submit always give the principal reportedly talked to go point.

So with the asked you know good questions.

Most of he wanted to you can try to line up guys to -- off a lot particularly want it all Okajima. For whatever reason that he felt the need to coming up probably -- reporters.

Timing is everything right I got I won't -- questions for two with -- yes. When you when you were a great player for the Cleveland Indians back in the 1980s in those three teams. -- I -- deal -- going to tell pop pop pop up. Player for doc Edwards like -- When a player -- ever experienced anything like that badges that took over in that Yankees Indians game game two.

Don't they'd -- a couple of games. -- gotta remember Michael 1988 the only consistent failed to prevent that -- And utilize. I mean it was in all it was not we didn't really have a it worked amid if you go back can look at that team. I was a designated hitter. That that's already decides that shot it was. We we didn't have very good team or some some names field the Mel hall and Joe Carter Cory -- but we we'd never wore him. But one thing we did -- we went along together pretty good because that they were so bad. That it was hard to be arrogant and we were we really did a good job as like public but blackened John Farrell. But -- against.

Was this the stage of your career when you were known as mr. -- Hambrecht.

I don't know what part of it. I had actually go back to triple -- that year. I have got a lot of -- problems one backed AAA in and -- about 320s and really did okay got called up midway through the year and through some guys get injured DH to rest severe. And hit assault 300 -- flight want to say like eight or nine RBIs -- you don't just just lack in the call little ball park.

But the eight or nine RBIs that impact the game you keep that mine they had. They weren't born RBIs that's to use you switched the pitching rotation it for -- he has now -- got Beckett Schilling -- opposed to back guys came looking to accomplish that.

The bigger switch I think is not now. I think it was before trying to get shall some rest we thought if we planned a -- way we did. We could lineup she'll. For hopefully a longer run of of really solid baseball an agent. We take into consideration. A lot of factors but it wasn't really so much of a change of people around as just getting our. How civil war that brought about a way to put it.

And Sosa what you're really doing now has gone back to what you considered to be the normal rotation more than any.

That you don't want to build up our belly port. I don't think in the long run. Regardless of who pitches game two or three is going to have a huge out couple or years if you know we're playing the Indians. Pitchers to win three are probably going to pitched voices I don't if if fatigue it's a whole. Starting here in people clamor. For manager to change their rotation I would think way more often than not. Whatever -- to set out to begin with if you adhere to -- that probably gives -- your best chance to win. I think the it has proved doubly --

You mentioned this yesterday a -- your press conference about how. Smart some of those guys over there are in the Cleveland front office he mentioned Chris Cincinnati and of course Marques apparel. Isn't that reflected in the fact that. They have 61 million dollars to spend on the team. And they were able to put together a team like this.

There's a lot of I think they do hitters -- tremendous. I think part of what you're alluding to now though is and I think space somewhat seem to understand it. Is there -- opportunities may be less because of payrolls. Parliament again maybe that changes just really not my business but we're just talk -- You know they've got some young players through their system. That have really become impact players -- while -- To reach this level success if they're to continue with this team they're payroll was going to roll. You know whether they're a lot to do that that's their business but. They have done an incredible job of of building an entire organization I think what happens when you win 96 game did you beat the Yankees didn't validate it throughout the country -- to stamp on it. But I think baseball people especially people to -- their know what table but about what they mean every -- their first -- people. And they put a lot of a lot of what they do. On on people's attitudes in the it to to really need to I was fortunate enough to see it up close for one year Paula I grew a lot because but.

You -- at -- that he is clearly a smart guy but he hasn't flaunt it. And and try to make you feel like you're not that smart what kind of things what do you say over what what did.

Love you want to much better people whole world he's he he has. Very very intelligent and what he speaks to you he -- ask questions. And -- noisily conversations can be can make fun of himself what I produced what people about -- they can -- I think it's neat he just. He just he's a special to get a special person you can hear you've heard all these teams want to number there GM there's a reason. He brings so much. Any -- intelligent. But again and he makes you know economy as a way of talking on your level in joke written and not just he's just a special guy is hard not polite.

You had Tim Wakefield throw a 63 pitch simulated game four yesterday I know it's always the day after that matters how become throw.

he's good he's in good spirits today you can kind of tell just -- a look at awakening guys he's he's just get a tough status report guys start out the dentist there were kind of brought a five inning game on him. But he came through really well and I thought he threw a lot of good knuckle balls. I mean what way -- you know you always cannot red -- this girl is -- of on the edge because of the way he pitches. But -- for him to be successful he noticed he had to patrol a lot of good local bald kid disposal. But he's he's brittle old order forest and again if you can go out there first securities in doubt won't put up makes our ballclub a lot better.

Terry I -- the rest is great between Sunday and Friday but from a hitters perspective I'm not sure it's ideal you mentioned yesterday about trying to get guys' lives BP is as close to it is you can get how via the gone about trying to set that up for guys.

Yesterday we took a beautiful pictures first -- through five innings closer to a couple papelbon through an inning -- through an inning dye keyed an opponent eager to tomorrow and the hitters all have. The write to. Two two priests who really wanted to it some guys who want to please wait which I understand. But they all kind of jumped in at intervals offer different pitchers and got -- bats. It's not game condition but it does the -- used to the ball coming in with a catcher. And it breaks up to middle week. And just give some guys sublime looks which I think will be tremendous.

And anyway it's an acknowledgment that it makes -- difference that that time -- makes a significant difference I guess. My question is is there such a thing as too much rest and -- it is it that is the cut off three days as of four days where you say okay this is too much.

You know what Michael depending on. How we play if if if sabathia shut -- business sales too much rest if we get them everybody say we were well rested. You know way it is all going to. Deal however election like this same attitude when you lose sometimes year old would play good year veteran. That's just a way to demons I I actually preferred to won a series that rather than brought out because that you could lose it's our responsibility to take this week. And converted in the positives. Right now it up we stress the team guys run and a little bit more -- that we usually do auto work out today order takes some infield practice at home. Percent to beat -- game to beat relation plate plate personable plays have a pitchers cover bases things we -- in spring training just to get the level and the court does a little bit.

I know how much do you think of your pitching staffs -- want to take them out for a minute other than your staff. But the Cleveland Indians have the best pitching staff been in the American --

yeah. They have. They're -- top starters are -- top you know top informal league if not it'll give final sabathia in Beckett probably the two favorites to win the cy young. Ramon has been. But he Tuesday -- I think Carmona story is somewhat skewed because of what happened to him starting -- Boston in the closer role. You -- glory years sort of guys -- baiting the closer it didn't. He goes back to be the starter and ultimately went 19 games and Apple world seem surprised I don't think that should be surprised this kid has been rising star for them for --

When you sock Carmona in it in a relief role here at Fenway last year. Did you see something that led you to believe what we saw this year was in -- somewhere.

Well again in the -- the couple games here were were certainly a struggle for him. But again because I know I knew John Carroll had some friends over there. Maybe I handle more knowledge of what has two little bout but I news they thought the world of those student body is going to be -- he just he got thrust into rural out of necessity. And as just gonna happen sometimes with young guys in you know it didn't gold completely right. Righted the beginning Andy they re did at least get him back in. Guiding geared up for starters innings in kind of -- did -- I don't think there should be surprised with the successes can have produced -- off -- off the charts.

Well I think you just answered that question I was going to ask if it. I was I was going to say how is he different this year or what what did you see beyond the numbers obviously the numbers are great -- CBO numbers -- really impressed.

Well bloodied again SA starter he can go out and let that sink really worked for him. When you get short burst out of the bullpen if you're up as a result long the other -- same type -- pitcher if you're up sometimes the velocity doesn't help. Wondered down was sinking action was simple lost the total conflict Derek Lowe when he was going good you can almost all the -- you don't -- which deliberate.

I know how much you guys look at every single piece of information available to yet. I was quite honestly a little surprised that Bobby kill these numbers against C. C. Sabathia I know you weren't surprised you know them better than me but. Does it may be lead you to think maybe I got to give him in -- on Friday.

You -- I don't know going to have a 4 O'Clock meeting today it'll -- over everything they're Bobby's numbers against sabathia certainly can't be ignored. Not ready to. A dual line up yet just because I need to talk to players first I need to score some things in my own mind and what -- staffed. But that I need to talk to players soul there'll still be a course for everything in Broussard who do got a couple minutes -- remembered I'd talked you guys so -- that includes some of that today and so that tomorrow.

since you've had some time to watch TV Tito I'm sure you've. You know for. Heard about all the stuff going on New York with Joe -- you see Joe Torre a lot you've seen a lot in the last 34 years. -- what do you think of of the commentary coming out of New York that this is perhaps. I don't -- final season with the yanks

you know what Michael RIR Malone has to and to to comment on another manager status. But I will say this -- pissed when you get into these jobs you know. What it can potentially lead to and I think every organization has not with a right. They have a responsibility to put whoever -- they think can do the best what I do you think was a little bit English game. Is what he had to wooden door before that last game was it and -- Don't think that was. Very respectful and I think I even heard Don Mattingly kind of alluding to about yesterday which are -- pretty good you know everybody together every organization to do that -- the manager -- coach a lot of first. But for children during that during that time I was I didn't feel good about them.

We know how much respect you have for the games so I've found it interesting in the comments -- for me in the paper today where you said UN Joe talk a lot probably more than people believe you just don't think people want to see dornin out in public.

Yeah I I think that's true because of the the rivalry in Indian intensity of the games subtle thing people want to see me angel ought to be total by the cage I think he agrees with that. But I've known children double -- And you know our games can get cut -- hot under the -- sometimes but. That doesn't mean not a respect -- a lot of talk to home probably pretty much before every series and even after some of the series. Just because I do respect what he doesn't. It's not always the most comfortable situation because the intensity or series but they'll never take -- respect our effort.

There are a lot of differences between football and baseball -- the differences but in football. The previous opponent if you if you're you're you're generator face an opponent to play somebody else you can take something that they did in that game. And use it to your advantage you watch the Yankees Indians theories is there anything you can take from that series in used -- your -- you can --

Well Michael of the familiarity we have with the team we certainly try to. -- but they have that you know if we keep Sizemore off base. You know. Probably use this totally does have some success it'll pass Kirk is shouldn't put two guys on mole series that's not good so but it is also different you know sometime. Times a hitter hit the ball right -- but. In the Pentagon ordered deep fences it's now. I mean depending on how they -- To select big piece that's for David Ortiz sometimes -- knows its out sometimes he missed its wanted to get but over the course of a lot about bats. If you do things correctly you're probably going to get paid off for.

You've been around the game a long time you've seen a lot more baseball -- I have have you ever seen a ball hit harder. Then Manny is home run Friday night.

You know it reminded me of of the whole run in and a time by bo Jackson I Miller English brook Russell. Off the bat you've -- music while that -- double -- But leverage that maybe can get on counseling is incredible he lets the ball kids so deep. And still get the ball so far most hitters on the one we also they're kind of marvel at because of the normal hitter -- the ball game that deep he gets eaten alive. Many -- you could be which allowed him to recognize pitches. And any just -- Russia it's just that's -- many Miami do as he can do that.

Schilling said yesterday he doesn't remember seeing Manny more locked in -- is right now do you agree --

I think he feels like he has something to prove he's dialed in my group that I think man he's been pretty consistent all year it is approach. I don't think he's always felt real good at the plate it typified it from time to time I even think you acknowledged that let I think he's pretty doubt in right now.

You know being in this town everybody wants to be the manager except and that Friday night game if you're like Sosa. Who wants me Mike Sosa in this situation here your options you get to pitch to David Ortiz. You get to walk Ortiz and pitched that many repairs what you're supposed to --

You gotta get about it because if you don't. Being the manager you're wrong and we we all know that that's just part of it that's -- I think I kind of -- throughout the game. I've I don't I can't tell you out on the same thing because the -- But that's part of having David and Manny is and that's what we try so hard. Sometimes -- not have -- bases because we want them to pitch to -- because we feel like they got a chance to get nicked up even if it for runners at first base reflector or position.

And I you don't have a problem tell me I'm foolish -- about -- but that doesn't throw this out here now. It if you're Mike's -- would this just be. Off the charts if you walked David Ortiz. And you walked Manny Ramirez the bases are full two outs in the pits and Michael would anybody do that baseball.

I don't think it'll I would never -- polish yeah. It'll it'll -- problem is is when -- anytime you -- total bases loaded situation. And again especially -- K rod but but not just hero but anybody you're taking away. Some of the weapons apart okay look at what does so well is he bounces up breaking ball. If you do valid bases loaded really taken a waste not to many hitters know that now suddenly consulted on May be one pitched. It's fitted to all four or sold somebody up instead all the place and you really take away some of their effectiveness.

Final question from me is there some relief. That you don't have to go through the drama of another Yankees Red Sox series

you know what they'll be enough drama what what is nice about playing the Indians visit to rumble be on the field. So what's so much of what happened to -- the Yankees just before the game after the game an and so and -- July talk about the all time if somebody gets hit with a perished during the game it'll to World War stories. It's not that just somebody got hit everything takes the life of its own and and far more than that played the Indians it should be just really good baseball.

A company to -- the good news and the bad news all of the same time the good news is if your team continues to win. You know you'll be you'll be well into November everything is great because it could be game seven -- what November 2 Robert --

You can be busy until November. The good news the bad news is by the time. Your fantasy football team will be in last place you I I may last week you worked -- Marchand -- and that is hard to do because he has the worst fantasy football player that receipt.

You know okay. The only response I really have.

Changed -- in other words.

I was gonna say you guys can ever read on. On baseball you want I can hopefully -- that always started on the principle ball -- a little -- you know large -- ideal manager. Net net but feel that mr. Craig goes he's had a chance -- you don't -- numbers to. Pointed in his in his leadership and I've moved on and I'll get one or the other about kids if they can beat the out of those well.

It's a good luck this week and we'll look forward to talking to you next week. Our chances and is Terry Francona manager of the Boston Red Sox