Dave O'Brien

Joining us right now is well in my opinion and Michael's opinion we are we because one in this one of the best play by play announcers in the game of baseball luckily we get to listen to him a lot this summer even more likely you'll be able to hear an even more next summer. Dave O'Brien -- hello David. Bill Michael how are Asia. Dave O'Brien what's going on man.

Beautiful day here in in Boston I'm about to take off for Denver -- understand that the forecast is beautiful for the next several days and very good chance for world championship as well I think which is a wonderful news but -- can't -- to get out there and an experience in national league baseball maybe some shorter games which -- I think a little -- welcome what does that matter at this -- the the year they can play all night for all we care.

Dave I'm curious. Ball for this series started as you objectively look -- how you broke down the Red Sox in the Rockies going into this.

I really saw beat the Rockies as a club that was a little bit overmatched -- in a lot of ways I hadn't seen a whole lot of Colorado about the koptev that I had seen them very many times obvious piano I play itself until this so wonderful. Playoff run but they -- pitching short to speak Jimenez is a wonderful young pitcher he's got great stuff but. You're throwing 123 year old -- pitched actually pretty well last night for for long stretches he's second in the World Series in May you may. It had some issues there right offensively I thought they were really nice ballclub but we -- split them from Colorado on the road. Those splits religion about it chip qualities a totally different hitter -- coarse field. Help that has been for years in years at this it is not really really nice hitters well where would you get sick which -- become monsters again that's the part of the series that's going to be fascinating to watch now. The next two -- three games or along those just if they do swing the bats again the way to Capel that's what I thought I. -- that they were short in the pitching department great defensive club at a -- such advantages all -- alignment cholera.

A debut just alluded to it a few minutes ago talking about Coors Field where this series is had a what do you expect to see from Daisuke and Jon Leicester versus this Colorado Colorado team at home.

Outlook those are wild cards from -- Mike I think the in Daisuke is. It is pretty much what we've seen lately probably five innings maybe six innings. If he hangs a couple of breaking balls they can go to 900 feet -- to be -- he -- the locate Lester you know for stretches pitched so well during the yet Elsie yes but at -- else's but I I don't know if if Jon Lester it's going to be ready to pitch in that kind of environment not so. Both those are wild cards from me -- in the net in the air have done a lot of ball games there. It is a different environments for pitcher you can you can locate beautifully you can pitcher's spot. And it winds up you know the opposite field 14 rose in the bleachers if you look at pitcher catcher like what do you do them. And I don't I don't wind up there. And I know would that you know be committed but he humidor their you know which god only knows what that actually used for. That has knocked down some of the flight of the ball but. It's still doesn't take away from those huge gaps lots of singles and doubles -- hit there that -- not in any place else that's the biggest factor.

So how do you think that how do you think the Red Sox can count that -- mean if that is a singles and doubles park and I understand that huge I've never been there it's a huge outfield. Do you think they would do anything defensively to kind of that they got to get by that.

We center fielder is going to be very good after really community. Q what was your infielders Pedroia at Lugo have to -- extra communication a lot of extra -- contact your hand signals or whatever. -- courier Coco withdrew wood wood -- because. It really you are required -- efficiently played a little bit deeper although if you do that you can want to give up. Infield -- as well outfielders get. You know they go through -- at Coors Field to very very difficult place to play. That's why would everyone's been talking about you know just throwing youkilis out there's possibility keeps that lineup that's very very dangerous and there's just no way they were considered doing that there are few things you can do with -- thin -- in Denver can be monster on a pitcher really frustrate the heck out -- the Red Sox offensively just keep doing -- doing. Force Colorado to walk the as they've done all season long -- and the best team in the business of doing that and once those big inning start building keep the roll. That you can't score enough runs there.

Dave does David Ortiz some worry you either from a health perspective with -- any question or within field defects.

a little bit I mean and note David handle living well the last go around ten in 2004. But that was a few years ago it was gonna help the need then dale right you know he looks a little -- from time to time to -- we all then we almost went -- off the we're seeing tips -- about well it's a wonderful wonderful thing but you know. Lately I've thought that he looked a little bit tender on that -- like it will reluctant Tito talked about it pre game last night two to the national Preston and most -- in the office and decent you know going to wait see he's definitely going to be in their for the first two games of less that that he gives him problems. I wouldn't be shocked if it does go to game five at the left and Francis again that duke gets him at first base pop beat at that game I would be shocked at all but it -- concerns me a little bit and and again you know there's mobility is what it is he's never been a Super -- first baseman. He's been final with their but he's always been a 100% healthy -- played there's pars -- that's not the case right now.

They gave everybody's favorite player right now probably your favorite player -- with JD Drew. Of course right it gives -- this coming at all at this is in the post season he's third on the team an RBI.

Yeah you know September you know we almost swung the bat much much better than he did it at any point this season but. He says he's become a monster all the sudden. Really -- in the I don't know that it did it take five months for JD to do to start to grasp the idea that aggressive is good at being. Controlled aggression which is what the Red Sox to open down the line up everyone's been doing that in and out sort of clicked in. In with -- the mean you just don't see -- sitting on that 31 fastball anymore or pitches that he should be wailing on he's attacking most pitchers now on. It's a great -- commitment. Red Sox have not I wonder if you guys agree with this joke -- that I'll talk about last night. We have not seen this ski top to bottom swing the bats like this all season or even in April and may when the Red Sox were Killen everybody. They -- this school it you know one through nine and then they'll hold them on now.

Direct I can't remember 11 Pedroia about a buck 80 year in April yeah I mean it you would see guys get hot you see a guy here to get hot together you'd see four or five guys hot at the same time as --

Jimenez and it's a little -- that we talked about this on the heels -- who do want pitchers victory you know -- in the World Series but. And that first game was just it it bloodletting. We -- heard a lot of whispers around the Colorado club house just just round yesterday that Manny was going down. That they felt he had eaten more than any other Red Sox hitter. He had gotten so comfortable and it was batting practice all of -- in game one for everybody but particularly from -- any. That they had to go after somebody at least knock him down if not -- about right and that's what Jimenez had in mind it would've been a perfect had to do it because he's a little wild on. When he when he throws a hundred miles an hour but many led off an inning three times last night now the -- got the opportunity that was too close game. But the Red Sox have another game like team won or started to build one in game three. So he's probably going to go down on I think it's probably going to be many repairs aren't surprised that hasn't happened yet but. The big question -- our -- journalist who he hit quote he had knocked down every one of them is red hot right now -- pick one guy but. But somebody else is probably going to take you -- ballpark. And then you'd you'd have the threat of building a big inning if you do that. And Colorado is not the position they allowed.

But you know what Dave if they try to knock somebody down and I'm sure that's their plan. You know usually put the pitcher moves you up the plate he can get him back like Josh Beckett can hit somebody and then stay in his delivery and come back and throw strikes. From what I've seen the first two games in the last by the kid walked five guys in -- attack control issues. Are there even talented enough to start moving people off the plate and continue to throw strikes.

The I mean that's that's one of the things that goes back or original thought the you know depth of starting pitching is a big big issue with Colorado and they can't afford to mess around in and right now they're just having trouble throwing quality strikes and with the reds like you really have to throw good strikes that you know -- it can't be just an inch off the quarter. Get -- got to chase because Ortiz won't do that Manny won't do that pick J. D. Drew won't do that right now youkilis has never done it and it. It's it's such a difficult lineup to pitch two and A Colorado doesn't have the funds to do it that's -- that the series would be over in five and and I may have been dead wrong about that. You know could be over Sunday.

You live around here you know what the minority reaction is to Terry Francona we hear from them. The Red Sox win in spite of Francona not because of -- you hear those things. What's the nationwide perspective of Terry Francona and the job he's done here.

It's universally positive bill I think people look at at the crew. Critical Red Sox fans -- all Terry all the things and they go what he just talk about he's just watching the World Series the second time. Years and that the Red Sox you know critics will will counter that with. He did it because he's got Manny he's got poppies cut back he's actually on on Apple and that's Abacha. Malarkey he uses phrases to us from my house Marshall I was a kid uses anymore but I mean I I etiquette is it's a bunch of baloney in in. Terry Francona has won bought every day he wakes up and that is what is the best interest of the Boston Red Sox. Every single day that is one functioning -- in and I I am so impressed by that. And I think this team feeds off of that characteristic so well what's the best the team today at best they could keep his bout with a at a ball game and it do it again tomorrow doesn't happen and do it again the next day. An adult that you can say that about every manager there'll lot of managers who route to self and judgment that that big guys who want the spotlight on themselves they. Want to soak it up that want to beat the star this is not that guy in Red Sox it should be very very grateful that. -- he's not it would all then down the club house when we have seen Ortiz leave after private consultation. Any time this season by the way protect it does need. Getting out trick on his office and then you ever hear word but idiot that it it never gets in the depressed JD Drew. Org I'm going through -- very difficult personal situations on. You'd never heard about that Terry Francona is not about all of that all along but he'll never area player but never actual player on the -- publicly I think closer those are real skills and I think he should be should be lauded for the job he's not reps.

You know Dave the other part of this is I think people who know the game understand. He is a different manager game managing during the playoffs than he has during the regular season. He'll -- Schilling in the middle of an inning he'll bring in papelbon in the middle of an inning or Okajima in the middle of an inning he you know. It's different now he knows that any managers differently.

I think he's gotten very creative a particularly with Okajima. I think you're absolutely right it. Reading -- you know he made the subtle comment body language and I was body language -- he's gone you know you can't just walk up the street and do that. He has managed Clint hurdle right under his bench in this series entitled -- is nick getting any credit for -- totally look at that the pitchers that. Last night in the -- one game. That Clint hurdle ripped through and wound up with a 21 loss he's shaking his head right now forget about game one what Beckett did that was that was Beckett in an explosive offense. They had no chance in that ballgame. But hurdle that many -- Last night I don't know what -- it was an at first base -- make a final hurdle had anything to do with that. But I I think Terry Francona has managed this -- socks off and is going to continue to do that these really exposing -- as a as a guy who isn't terribly creative. And maybe doesn't know was open --

You know you you get to see all of baseball outside of Boston in your in your duties here it WEEI WRKO oh who would you say it is talking at this managing discussion peaks my interest. Who would you say your your top two or three bandages are in the game

I'm a big Jimmy -- guy I don't think they didn't do it in Detroit this year but what did it last year still stuns me I was Leland in 97 Marlins won the World Series a I've never seen anyone better at managing people -- game situations Mike social right there at the top of violence as well it but it looks OSHA he's brilliant and he basically take a look at this team spring training -- we don't have guns of them flatly we don't have anybody released in the ball park. We have to beat the Kansas City Royals of 1982. And to get as far as they did was pretty special I think that it Terry Francona to be as one of the top five guys in the game and -- top to bottom. Everything that he asked to do I'm on the I'm really blown away and you guys may be as well you've you've built a lot of managers coaches by how much media he he's. In his office not a clock every morning. In Dooling hit after hit after it was all the stuff he has been with us in. All the press in this town. He he is really really impressed with that and how he keeps it together and I almost every here can lose his temper. I've never gotten angry at anybody ever seen him go off on anyone on christmas this has been a special year. You know so -- a whole lot freedom to get ticked off in two seven but he's a guy -- that we put on that.

He's in a whole lot more baseball than I have but I I said earlier -- to meet. Hideki Okajima -- job last night was the best relief appearance I've watched in baseball this year.

up it was -- strike one quality strikes over the ball around I think that the Rockies walked out -- last night -- one what did we just get hit with. Because we don't understand how good right hand hitters like us can get eaten alive by -- I keep go back to remember which Sheffield said that when the tigers ran. And -- with them on a on a pitcher under result Bozeman and Sheffield -- later. I've never had a -- do you like that have never have left hand pitcher eat me up like that before in my life -- the best that there receipt. To me that was the greatest compliment that Okajima could could ever -- all season but you're actually right in the clutch you know 22 pitch like that in. Get ahead of everybody. Finish off hitters he he has he has some special stuff there haven't between between -- Apple on two different languages two different approaches and styles. But their meat at the same stuff and and I think it's really cool watch last that was really cool.

Dave we always appreciate you taking a few minutes I know it's a hectic time for yet have a safe flight to Denver I have a feeling. We're not going to hear you call a game back here at Fenway this year.

At a I hope that's true I really do -- I'm I'm I'm looking forward to -- able the next one that the Joe what I do it together is in Fort Myers against possibly the college. Yes if they're at it.

And you know what Dave here here's Sports Radio WE yeah right now we can't -- you -- Dave because this thing handle is reserved for Jim Jim tressel is expected. -- gave. We do have a rookie of the year award. Our rookie of the year award and you get the ultimate dale and -- compliment right.

It's as high compliment as we have dame thank you very much. -- like thank you so much just don't care that is Dave O'Brien as the president's Medal