Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Each and every Wednesday at this time we talked with a manager of the Boston Red Sox. Terry Francona joins us on the line right now good afternoon Terry. Perhaps -- guys I don't. Great -- obviously not -- as well as you are I woke -- read the paper this morning assess somebody's buying dinner. With the new contract extension what Phil what's the story there you know. Boy to commit slump -- already maybe better and why it's called. Maybe the story is not Boston Globe says you're in line for a two year contract extension.

Oh boy well okay I'm not much comfortable. That group what that's news to me I gotta be awesome movie that's not on the radar and they shouldn't be this is good. I don't I have unfortunate -- got a contract for lecture and that doesn't need to beat people on my radar screen or actually in fairness. The ball -- better a week we got -- its general suitors deploy it and and I would be uncomfortable. I didn't old -- there I decided -- and I didn't even hear about it in -- comfortable with that policy -- we've got a --

We we can leave it at that actually what. You gonna have a lot of people coming up to you at your at your press conference today asking you about it

perfect. Look at it wasn't -- old old public record of Britain get -- what we need to talk about butler team.

a I know you well enough to know that there -- parts of yesterday that you weren't real. In that you weren't have a lot of fun when there were decisions to be made tough decisions to be made let's start with Tim Wakefield. In his physical condition he sounded pretty ominous in his self press conference about how -- shoulder race.

Yet actually part of the reason we had -- come down there is because those. -- record we hold way Q and the respect of there and also we knew about top -- acosta was. Part of the reason that we came to this decision. It is so it won't become ominous the more pictures pitch whip. -- walling. Or -- in any joint it's sort especially shoulder joint before they are risk because inherently they've become weaker. That's just fact it's it's every pitcher so this week accumulates so falling in that area. It can be tumbled more dangerous I think that's what he was saying and I agree one point he really -- sound ominous I don't think anybody feels that way we want and expect wakes going to want to budget game's first lecture I don't think that's ever changed the MR I was really encouraging. But again as he. Has trouble bouncing back from reached started it's more more difficult -- makes the decision making or more difficult.

Also want to ask you about Eric Gagne I said earlier I can't really think of a role that that he has for the team he's on the post season -- the World Series roster what went into that decision to have them on instead of tavarez or Bryan Corey is my --

Well there are some things that become. Involved in decisions what are you when you had people such as -- Bryan Corey. You don't because he was not on the roster before September 1 we've already used up Pillsbury. And Jon Lester -- and I can't feel much better to explain is Q but there are some things to come into the decisions. Other or -- far route and just what you see on the on the on the on that there are a lot of things that the rules that are in place and things like that guidelines put two you start get away from too much of what you've done you don't guys or. Like taveras Julian didn't pitch a lot of September hasn't thrown -- last two answers you're asking a lot to put a guy and two. Potentially an extra inning game that has named -- on your roster I can get typical or unfair.

No what do you see Gagne these roles being in this series.

Michael much -- want to sit here and tell you what. Anybody's I don't want to deploy our scouting report Eric is portable document especially in this city that there's been some troubles I understand that put on the not going to sit here and tell you -- could -- in the game because I don't know I think they've Okajima and -- on -- there are actually smaller guys sort situation to and certainly we -- go to delete it and -- that knock in the city here and potentially bad mile one or players. Because as we saw you can come down every person on your roster it's going to have an -- in in the game.

Terry at him. As as we look at at this next series and we look at that putting guys in positions you've now got to figure out a fourth starter you said yesterday. That Jon Lester was going to stretch out and and prepare for that possibility but at this stage how do you stretch out in the Lotta time you have to get ready for the.

Point four innings yesterday and use you did three against Cleveland he's okay again. We if you pitch a game four if that's what -- ends up being I don't think we'd have Republican toward 85 approaches steps but -- fairly realistic agenda of the game dictates. What you do what do we wouldn't do sort of like that would work culpable to get. There's going to be some think we want to be prepared for every single thing that can be thrown at us whether it is an injury whether it's weather and I think we've done that going into this year's.

don't want to go back to the Cleveland series for a second I just wonder how it was for you going against. Friends of yours and you're very close to -- Eric wedge as a friend of -- to beat them at the seven game series what was that like for you

I think and he -- competed in their life sometimes. The people he -- ought to bolster probably want to beat the worst and I don't mean that disrespect -- that I know them playing you -- sure. Your brother wondered rolled up there's nothing wrong with competing. Against people you care about I think the fact that maybe market percent in those guys wore uniform somewhat helped me a little bit because I I do care so much bottom I don't when we want to the mound. What -- the field after we won I did glance over that way because just to see if they were there just out of it again caring and they made an effort from -- pop bottles over and it was a congratulations which was greatly appreciated you get so focused on what you're -- one. But at the same time -- dole for yet Kendall's principle goal way or the caring built in goal way it is that's just a way to keep that in this game long enough you're going to gold. Through other organizations along the way you're going to be. They're going to be -- what is special people.

Another note from that series game six what was your reaction. We're J. D. Drew at the grand slam because I know a lot of people were excited just because. He has he has struggled at at times for great length this season to get his powers.

At the time that's not even remotely close -- about we have bases loaded Carmona makes great pitches on many marketable what's right on the first which ultimately Altman of this with a double off the hook. And javy takes that gorgeous point at all but not only do we get -- we -- to a grand slam you know it were talking four runs it was what a feeling I mean to play with the lead against that team under those conditions -- so pivotal and the fact that it was -- I think. I think you could see his reaction to guide it doesn't always shall it reaction catapult -- you'll probably so what good for him.

The situation going to the national league park this year is a little different from your situation in 2004 your personnel is different. Help us understand the things that will -- decision making process about who will play and win.

That's going to be really interest me it -- just as somewhat at a disadvantage -- both -- the pitchers hit toward. More built for the DH David is probably the best in the game and he's such pivotal part of our line up. He's spent a grumbles for a while he we're trying to balance help. David does a good job I'll sit down with a cut out of -- David duke Mike you'll want to upset -- when we get to that time and we have a day -- out there. -- with the staff and answered with the players and deciding once we decide what we're going to do. Then we'll talk to play within the player who brought a part of that I got to -- up David these two weeks. We don't like Kevin David about not the lineup but saint -- totals --

You know that that Red Sox fans can be a little creative and we've had a lot of creative suggestions about how your lineup should be. Going to Denver you'll probably get some of these suggestions as well how creative are you willing to be is it simply those three guys in the equation and that's it. You wouldn't look. We'll -- lucky guy no doubt about it. Creative I'm not sure goal would.

You wouldn't consider put into hitless -- outfielder -- outlets as well we Agassi. Mike Lowell at second but I sort youkilis at third Ortiz at first.

Yeah well I could give your smart. Our relatives are you know we it'll it'll need to. So like that it's disappointing to ward -- Alou is more or big bats but at the same time one of those -- be sitting on the bench and won't do so pinch hitter. That we don't care who. Pitches you'll you'll have to pour about a lefty righty matchup got professional hitter that'll be so terrible try to utilized that.

When you think back to June and the Rockies came in here in three games and he said yesterday they they slap you guys around pretty good. What have been the biggest difference between them in June and you guys in June compared to now.

Outmoded since early June I think every series has has little personality and I don't think people that goal played a game -- realize that. It'll when you won we lost the Detroit Tigers -- to all star break you know everybody. A -- everybody out you'll old third out of prohibitive favorites author. They beat us things in July that's the way the game goes sometimes your beat up sometimes a starter doesn't have a good game. Just BA's best of seven and whatever happened in June all matter now they did not surround and we've Beckett had probably his worst game to date. And he only threw one pitch for strikes and really made -- if if that happens again if Beckett can you want pitch over it might be a tough night I don't personally think that's going to happen this with a team that. Has come so far apart what they'll -- they got on such a role in building feel good about themselves it'll be our responsibility to start cradle but it now.

We had an email earlier who suggested that we'll tip of the -- to Tony la Russa. For leaving Albert Pujols on the bench with the tying run on base late in the all star game. Where you have a fan of the all star game determining home field advantage and I'm guessing if you work you are now.

Well I'm glad we got home field advantage guys but I'm really not the biggest fan of of this much at stake on a game that again you're put a manager in a wrigley impossible spot. Your view to game that's for the fans basically because you don't interview during the game. And trying to give every player possible appearance in the game. And then you're settled with the responsibility of tortured or lose it is the bottom impossible task and totaled four. We caught every -- wants me and we wanted we had it set up deal war two and we were very fortunate.

Don't think it would make sense if they gave it to the team with the best overall record. Or if they went back and forth national league American in the American like like like they used to do.

Why I love the idea of of of teams that perform during the season being rewarded for that -- that there are certainly some. So totals to get older -- unaware of alone be -- rewarding teams don't win that culturally I think that's what should be.

You've done your pre scout senior staff has done even more the new obviously but as you look at your reports for the Rockies what's the thing that probably concerns you the most going into game one.

Well there's there's never there's one thing the public servant or it would. Wouldn't be in this job they have an American public or not they helped speed the top they have some guys to consult the ball middle. And they will build you'd want our guys as a DH political thicken up the lineup. -- I just for Mark -- point. We hope there is some roster. I think expecting that Slobodan realistic but maybe it'll get our job is to do our best to play in the league creates some out as we do with every game we -- nothing changed I mean these are huge games but the way that you play the games -- won't change.

No Clint hurdle was asked this question yesterday about Helton. Coming close to losing Todd Helton early in the season with this trade between the Red Sox Iraqis well I'll ask you. Imagine the Red Sox without Mike bowl.

but I don't think I ever did I think the things they get -- public are never that close to being done. I think that's probably fairly realistic assessment but really the trait that happen -- once that happened quickly and before. You know again the media -- speculating because speculations never really that close.

You made the point yesterday that because of the way Coco Crisp made the catch on the last out the other night that that you didn't really have much of a decision to make concerning your lineup tonight. All things being equal would it have been a tough decision for you with a lefty Jeff Francis out.

Yeah actually very difficult never a lot of respect what are a lot of opinions in our meetings which -- Greatly appreciated but ultimately on the want to custom make that decision. And Myers just so what follows it to go built during game one against a lefty. She or somewhat taking -- a lot of those series if -- goal is to play in place is good or bad you still have. It and center -- to choose from it gives you a better. Because Coco got banged up took that decision away but hit it in some real price symbolic it makes the decision easier but I. I really want to doubt that decision because. -- can do when he's playing well. -- makes makes us a better team.

What do you think of his catch.

All the great catch up on a different circumstances or the games closer. That's potential we -- an overall organ produced a column.

When you look at Josh Beckett and you can you watch this guy all season long closer than we have. I mean are you surprised when he gives up a hit let alone Ron right now.

Well I again I think that's again you post things are going to happen. But boy he can pitch and the stage is not to break and I actually think you relishes that I think you grow again the more bases. You know -- confidence is always going to be there. And we talked even last year as it you know at some point Salinas stubborn as -- brag about. I think we've got a point there's a quiet calm Apollo he does he's very confident order does -- when he takes the field we feel good as we should.

I mean you think about it being beaten should be if if not the cy young winner at least the second place -- I think he should win it he won that all star game that gave you home field advantage. And if anything he's been better in the post season when he was all year.

I can't there's nothing you Zedillo dispute and that part of him. You -- bring in two -- business an awful lot on auction and I don't molded his. Best days are behind him this kid really wants to achieve greatness and that's good for -- talks.

What -- the -- having that shy guy around for game seven Kevin Millar.

When I heard that they're going one guided -- hope like -- often -- smaller that's part of what makes him so special the no other guy wear another uniform can do that can get away with that and and I haven't been real. And lord knows that's what's so unique about Kevin he's. It's not reversed it's just it's him and it'll never changed and it's unique and it's special and I was despondency.

I mean yeah you're right think about it you know Mike -- used to play for the Marlins that the Marlins -- in the World Series or or in this championship series and he went to throughout the first -- probably go crazy right.

I don't nobody could do that little hill again that's part of more than it is especially pulled off people's he can say things other people. -- control the foreign people laughed at him don't take it take its best to put that part of the uniqueness of Kevin and -- been -- for a long time and I don't think it'll wore off.

At some quotes from you and Tony masses piece on Sunday and and a little bit and Jackie mcmullen piece today in the Boston Globe. Where wearing Yankee can hit to -- not sure if if baseball fans are enjoying this as much as they should is that accurate.

Well I think sometimes it again I hate to. Did interviewed about an interview because things are taken in different time. Period and then maybe put into one article and it it publicly accountable I think I actually had a couple weeks ago so. That may not be so poor -- separately to belong comfortably respondent.

No but see that's a great piece of information. That it -- senate a couple of weeks ago was a whole lot different than it is now going into the World Series.

Oil I think it'll play back I don't know that you -- spoke -- for about 32 yesterday and I don't think I can talk to Tony so get older things that are coming through in in these snippets from the past couple weeks probably.

Hey if Phyllis is here she went to drop some some bombs -- you gotta be careful I'll drop some verbal bombs on the air.

Filled with a great she she walked me through everything and every time like curse I feel like he'll go back a look at -- like I need to Dexter careful so. Sometimes you see the familiar faces and you get into sort of a conversational tone and subplots about -- look over your crimson and I gotta be careful.

issue is probably happy that you didn't -- yesterday you just brought up batting I think.

Yeah and some. Sometimes you see people that you know -- you sort of personal president conversational call and he'd ever get or New York and that correlated she -- She is a blessing for all the -- justice through potency and I don't want to single or she needs to break -- anybody.

Good luck tonight deadlock in the series will talk to you next week Eisner is that is that Terry Francona. Manager of the Boston Red Sox game one tonight at Fenway