Mike Lowell, Red Sox 3b

We are joined on the line now by the MVP of the Red Sox World Series championship team. And newly re signed third baseman as well Michael is with a Mike -- dale and Michael how aria. I'm -- are married --

Right Mike we're doing great I said. Right before the playoffs started the only guy in Boston or New England that you don't like is our last guy John Wallach we turned out for an interview everybody else had lunch

a little bit her mind though that I don't. What you know what it is going to have one enemy that the -- the -- to have dialogue Miller blamed for that. Hey -- yeah had a unique opportunity you were of free agent coming off a career year. And you state your turned down more money and more years elsewhere to stay here what went into your decision. I

well -- a lot of things you know wasn't just one simple decision I think first of all. I wanted to take a creative process for what it was working on offense so. I wanted to make sure what was out there what. You know whole list the relations dealer figure this is the only time where you really have the leverage they don't have any other time and I spoke to. My agent you know we can't kind of you know roundtable meeting and I said -- I got no problem use another team's chief negotiator leverage but. I really want I want the Red Sox and in Leicester as a major breakdown indication this is what I want to happen I think what I appreciate it well my agent -- Sam Levinson is that. They say okay you they understand it goes you know American in the past -- so let's see let's see what's out there -- really didn't know. The disparity was going to be that big a thing that's the part that shocked me and then I needed you'll take a step back in. Pot well my family in way every paying him. You know I I think just singles stated an out and visit local Ford race so Rivera wasn't thinking about that -- distant -- I'm with the kids. So I'll let you know -- feel like it drag out a little bit and then you know you start hearing that. All he really meant that I want to come back at all of them. I think it was just part of negotiation process but I really did enjoy it that -- I thought it was going to be one of these things are going to be like -- this madness smacked. And it was a little bit of a step down it was more of -- mental grind in and then what I would have them as.

I was gonna say my god negotiating to be exciting it can also be frustrating to if you hear your employers say well you know do this that well we don't know what you gonna do when your three year four. Did you ever get to the point where you took -- say the Red Sox he took some of their comments personally we're a little better about it.

You know could I don't they never release the the big thing. From a -- on what age factor of of the contract and what I wanted to make clear to the Red Sox was that. Giving couple force here was a major concession on our part because. The market out there was was willing to give me four years you know when we really -- or to do it that's RW that's the market so I wanted to compare that did you know that's kind of the the or I was spending a little so you have to be some type of competition on the other end and you know that. That concession was -- was strong thing for them you know I think -- definitely did not want to go -- years and I understand you know and that doesn't mean come. Talk about then at a third year you know RBI third -- we have three good years and we can talk about our contract well arm. I think that was the biggest thing that. The other teams -- we're talking to. Me -- really open about the fourth year and you know you just you just think age should actually had passed up thank guaranteed money in our fourth year because you know god. God forbid I get hurt the first year I cannot play. You know rotation locked in the last year but ultimately you know our -- before like. I didn't need this contract to be harsh security of my career ended the last day of the World Series actually have been nice way to go wild but I don't negate any more money to be -- to myself so I have to wait affected sitters you look what are we draw -- line you know. That Fortier did in weigh as much as how comparable I am how much under par with the guys in the team. In the wake fuel run and then it's just very couple very easy in the atmosphere it's -- going to play based army and I are short -- all the all the fans in Boston why do -- want to change.

You know you we mentioned you had a career year this year in your numbers were spectacular how much of your decision making process. Also involve the ball park as Manny you seem to be tailor made to hit at Fenway Park

a little bit but I think thats why out Finley's decision. Was on the I'd definitely consider because of for me the Phillies park is this final it would help our law but so are. And I -- obviously acting -- apart but I look at the team. You know -- number one worker -- want to be our playoff contender every year I don't want to have a one rebuilding year one down year marijuana you know well. The next three years and not an awful little little World -- and I opportunity I think that sit on the team wait a little more in the park. But definitely have always said that Iraq in the political you know wake caters to that so apart. Does not hurt me at all. But I think the fit whether prominent -- behind David and Manny and you know that -- and where is going to be leadoff whether they're going to -- its second best leadoff for 2 -- Coke olerud is maybe. I feel -- going to be a lot of opportunities to drive in runs again I'd like that fit and honestly looking at the other teams you know just old Phillies doctor. There was a similar effect of that you know they -- based -- Iraq are -- big lefties then you don't hit him between them behind those two with Jimmy Rollins. -- not -- about a lot of RBI opportunities to do so I think that was the biggest factor but it'll speaking about the comfort factor my teammates and what might CHR I have a great I think what these guys in. You don't wanna make another run this next year another championship in hopefully we can start some -- it's really special here.

Mike you alluded to something a couple of minutes to -- them and ask you about talking about hitting behind David and Manny. A do you have a preference when you start out the season hitting sixth and then you you moved up the fifth. Is their preference there.

Absolutely what. Circles you are behind those guys it doesn't matter who's -- some team they're going to pitch David and Manny very carefully I think the fact that those guys. They're the main two guys that you want to avoid but -- guys that are high on base percentage guys so you know they're on base call upon which is great actually think the fact that David and Manny. Did it as many runs as they did in years prior out of my RBI total you know they. You know David had a huge amount of doubles this year and -- open less an omen that he did basically -- before. So our arsenal might address event so -- but still there -- always on base and I think on the guy who are always it's somewhere in the middle lineup. But I'm not a big home run guy so they'll elect and do my job and driving -- many guys on base I think -- close you are behind those especially to mortuary.

Tito admitted to us that he probably was too stubborn about that move Pete you know I know he likes that left right left right thing in the batting order. But he said you know lot I probably was too stubborn I probably should have made the move sooner than -- get

yeah I think there's a lot of factors Byrd go into that you know I look at the year before Alston seven. And annual trip tax struggled a little bit and it took me awhile before that the six. I just want to particularly that came I think that the left try to understand but when you put back to back right he's having -- list of an issue if you put back to -- lefties in my view more of an issue because. You know don't let these just don't see lefties -- I mean what's the big deal to me or Manny -- right here look at our everyday so I don't think. You bringing in a righty how this same factors agreement that lefty you know -- we've got to face two lefties.

You know you mentioned about your teammates and I'm sure you've seen the picture of the duck boat parade and Jason Varitek holding up a sign that said re sign Michael all -- that make you --

I think that's the ultimate compliment you know when when you're teammates watching back -- speak well have you defend my -- manager my love you upper manager in my love you birdied number respect your teammates I think you're not and you know and then. Someone has respected is -- is. To kind of endorse them and lead I don't know if you do let admired as a goma percentage of this contract but just to lead the charge very -- just made the all -- experienced that much better in. Appreciate you really appreciate the guy who Gregg got like -- if he feels like. I with a guy that was exciting to play every day you know I earning his respect him and everyone else's huge thing that's that's the ultimate compliment you can receivable --

You know Mike it seems like 15 years ago or when you with the so called throw in in the Josh Beckett deal. Hey this guy had a bad year it did in 2005 to any bounce back. Do you see any difference that army would do you think back to the the Mike Lowell who had other offseason in Florida -- the Mike -- last year what is the difference

I think. Not much of a difference when you look at -- two years before that you know both free adult for mean I had. Action before this year old -- has. Whole quote my career here you know credit I think -- 30 home run -- drove it over under rounds are on the spot on this -- because -- apart its soul. The ability to put up numbers I think there's always been there. I just think. I think you know experts and scouts and media always need -- reason why numbers are certain way. And trust -- computers everywhere else so far what I think I do wrong. -- that I tried to many NATO's outlook for the quick fix all our and then I think it's snowball and I think you know the mechanics of my swing broke down. But the good thing about 5 it was I think you learn how long season is. How much you can turn it around even despite a bad month to month even first. And I've never allowed myself to have that chance I know for a fact in July I I think it over 300 -- month. And I remember one else happy July and there are days article two for four -- before or -- chased the numbers that were on -- that's our instead of taking it. These -- so I think. I use that experience and also the experience you have at least here that you -- the -- little more you learn your strength and a weakness is. And I used that Medal was able to make adjustments since school you know -- six and this past year or so I don't really see. I didn't change my swing ready change my approach an -- our mindset I just think I'm a little bit more intelligent and Iowa and I and I. Executed what I knew I could do well little bit more often.

You couldn't of had a career year because I read in spring training Mike your bat speed was gone I read that.

slowly and and what what gave me -- because that was until -- person has that machine that measures that's been. I -- how I felt -- I -- actually I think the best happens it'll spot was about the last three weeks I felt good at the plate. And I remember facing John Smoltz one day it was just -- and you know on one of those stretches where he was you know or quality starts -- And I got to hit top form that I was driver in the bar said. I want. In the -- the plate I even get it sometimes also let you get itself ready or so ago the last two weeks actually I think in the a nice little boost the confidence going into the off season I mean I had no idea is going to get traded but. Just the mindset going into post six whoever it was -- well it was back with the water as there was another team. I felt good about it so I really didn't fear that year you know I think I wanted to put up numbers -- against the more for me develop more self respect I don't know. I do feel like I needed to prove to the media anything because they're not in the wake of -- in the off season and there are in the batting cages in the hostages so. Unless they do that that I -- that I put. A lot of stake into their analysis but besides that early don't.

Mike curt Schilling's been re signed he's back for next year you've been re signed. I mean there's really not much left for bird Theo Epstein to do in this off season except possibly. Get your manager signed to a contract extension and based on what you set already I assume you endorse that whole heartedly.

I mean I think if -- undermined a little. Because we're all in this market and but coming from the market I was in with the Marlins UC's. The major difference in responsibility and answering questions and distractions a couple of big market team and not all of it is bad you know some of it as good. But it's a lot more work in Europe and the whole lot. More on the field and off the field news we got a big markets he -- different eagles you can afford big money guys and it's a different world you -- I think there's a reason why Joe Torre was making six million dollars with the Yankees there's a reason why it you know dusty baker interpret -- comes over goes to Chicago about those. Cincinnati and he's he's making a whole lot more money than than most other coaches because they have they have the Philippines in the big market so actually endorsing you know -- Beer reward for what -- not mean he took over what -- or he's got two World Series ring that steps that's pretty. That's a pretty good Reza make there's pressure in this market in what. You know. We had to overcome an organization -- especially the first period after so many here so he gets I think you get my endorsement of the gets everyone endorsement on our team as well.

You know I hear a lot of players say during the season I don't care about numbers I just want us to win a championship well you guys have won a championship someone asked you about numbers now. What was it like for you to us your name pretty prominently in the MVP voting you're in the top five -- top five top six.

Yeah I was I was thrilled to death you know I think it was credible rot away after about first out for the season but you know you look at this season that. You don't magglio in Vladimir and David -- And to think you know a lot of other people have real good years then I was right behind those guys that that's pretty good feeling you know I'd still. I think it was just. Properly in the moment during the season you know because you really handled and the rest even after September you know the divisional wasn't -- and and then you know went out so -- are so I think the numbers -- put -- maybe. You know. Maybe this offseason later on it'll it'll settle in that. So I know -- 3. I thought I was driving in a run every single day -- surprised that so there was I definitely enjoyed the ride -- I think when the games mean so much all year round you coming oh ops and fax and I think that's a good thing -- get -- get more interest in the game and just letting him I think the numbers come -- play good baseball and your health being. The number scum because you know the count iguchi to a -- recent I think the numbers a bit.

Mike you -- fluently bilingual you get a lot of credit within the clubhouse for being a unifying factor. Do we overstate -- that a big part of what you do here

I think it's a big part of our relate to my teammates I don't know. How much it is. Unifying I don't I don't really look at it that way I just looked at as. It's easy for me to get along with Julio Lugo certainly it is to get along with papelbon you know I I really don't. I just Hewitt a former communication that'll do it as okay -- switch into Spanish motor talk to this guy. Or not going to switch into English -- I don't look at it that way I just. I think it's the benefits immediate targets -- no. Guys on the team that otherwise you know I get to know them better than another guy is Camby Cabrera relate to them it's only normally having you communicate better and when you have more common with people and I think it just helps because you're to have my teammates then hopefully you. They consider me a good teammate but I don't I don't -- You know I speak two languages -- got to reach out of the team because that it could help Pablo Delaware look -- I enjoy my team I talked to get to know lemon. And I think it helps to win you know one more you get along and know each other you don't want someone doubt you can pick them up below and you know it just it just helps it is I don't really look at -- is as something that. I'd bring to the table that -- so unique going to anyone else I think it's something that allows it to get -- from more than what you.

So which the language this does Daisuke understand better English or Spanish.

Well I don't know yeah I just doctors trying to clear so maybe maybe something to be a -- intently -- what he actually made some good strides this year so open looks so real that much better.

There are two Porta Rican natives in the history of baseball over -- named MVP of the World Series one is named Roberto Clemente. That's pretty good company.

That's humble you and ironically enough -- when it is true or commercial with the usual vertical market and he said he would come by you know. The national team and just kind of worked out in. Always say in words of encouragement to the guys you know these amateur players in nobody has Duma might -- of -- like a collage of them sliding apparently like that it's Simeon like nine years older and I it everywhere I want it. My college dorm what I am married from my apartment in my house now I've had it would be so that's -- very very special thing to me. And I have no idea -- law and what I told my that America you almost our car so. So very elite company him just to be mere mention the same sentence as someone like -- and they don't blue streak it just keeps attitude tonight economic state forward.

Mike congratulations on the World Series championship the MVP award the new contract everything else I imagine you had a lot to be thankful for last week and we congratulate -- Absolutely thanks so -- sure I might see him. Take care okay at a Red Sox third baseman Michael the MVP of the World Series