Larry Lucchino

Welcome back Dennis and Callahan broadcasting live from Red Sox spring training at Fort Myers, Florida a head cold. But clear day at city of palms park faithful actually begins joining us here in the broadcast Booth our friend the president. Not a the United States for the Boston Red Sox Larry Lucchino W's old buddy -- a goal and yeah they're the white out nobody the president hi Larry --

Yes you enjoy -- seemed to go very smoothly. And and the president of the free world blue you're kiss that was very nice so we -- little kid from Pittsburgh Israeli that we are all friends through yet and they. Well actually I was in baseball we both became -- have a franchise that became the president -- the Orioles and 88 and it was in 89 when George came as managing and general partner they -- of the Texas Rangers. And so we did spend a lot of time on baseball matters together he's -- he's just terrific guy he's a very warm affable passionate baseball fan does he know you're an -- but boy does he realize that if we did not -- not -- power guys maybe and some. The -- should be on our side you know you're either guy yeah. You must on your side come on telling your site is so far there aren't can't see from where -- admitted putting just tell us off via the Dick Cheney was a nice guy -- yes. What we have before the -- shoes before before the ceremony we did a few minutes with the president the Vice President and Nolan Ryan. Who's there and John Henry Time Warner and I. Had a few minutes in the -- they're very relaxed the president was very relaxed and very interested in what was going on and camp very knowledgeable on this new single put the fix in for Clemens to be admitted he didn't mention that I was gonna give me some credit -- mister Callahan because I saw you. -- The right wing danced you -- either Republican members of that that it was embarrassing Larry was embarrassing I'm and I felt good. -- thing that's turned into partisan exercise was just ludicrous.

This strike it was odd mind or like resting -- does that tour events the last couple weeks that he would go up -- the love tour for two days and shake a bunch hands didn't that seem sort of like unsavory.

Sox I'm -- would do actually that's not that uncommon for it and if a person's going to testify that person is going to be. Nominate you is nominated as a Supreme Court or some federal did position they often go up and meet with a committee members beforehand but it doesn't actually it wasn't invited yeah -- yeah I don't know what to autograph tour.

Yeah my my my guess is that the White House was fun Walter reed -- profiled that's a good way of putting at the White House it was surreal thorough for our players I think they we had a chance to do with a little differently than we do know for which was. Much more Russian and rush out kind of thing and -- the White House made an effort to. Do though openness several rooms so that after the presentation. The players can roam around wander around his -- all of that they went -- just that but I wanted to see little room where Monica Desantis. And as you don't know the camera and so we're in the rest was doing earlier in the and the main White House itself so they can get over to used to the west doing. But people enjoyed the ceremony like the president was introduce themselves to every one afterward to walk around and shook hands with everyone and everyone has very gracious and and I do remember it Pavel mine greeted him with a hello George yeah it's it's that's a perfect lap pass them. Should Manny have been there. Wasn't a mandatory event I think I'm -- is going to find out from his teammates today that he missed he missed something was a it was an exceptional day because after the way this of course we went back to -- we do we'd done that and and after the fourth championship. And I think it's a yeah. It's a good. Balance to the day that you go to any sort of way just political third minute 1100 people at a White House was teasing us it was a sold out event. And now the when the Red Sox come they've got to do outdoors because Red Sox nation is so numerous that there's so many people want to be there so that message that was soon to present Russa an extremely gracious and and play fourth they with a guy stood a good time. But I think the even more memorable event her for many of the players have been the emotional part of it was going to -- water read. The players divided up someone to various rooms of a group of us went to the the main rehab an area where there -- a group many from Massachusetts so improve veterans and the players mixed -- it was. He was great because rarely do you see the players. Has moved in as relaxed -- as comfortable. There was I heard a lot of -- statements from the players about of admiration and respect and gratitude to these warriors and it was it was very.

I think what is the response from these young men and women who were lying and he's says when you don't. Big Papi walks in the room or Jason Varitek in the World Series trophy shows up.

We picked dude do you guys particularly poor form an active and just sensational with with the the military personnel. Further action is obviously their fans and none of my near signing we brought a bunch of Gibson had such as well. But then the very quickly you -- is these people are still in military mode the and the way I look at is they see is that they're continuing duty is to be positive. To be upbeat to to not wallow in itself me. And race it's almost like its salute while they can't perform the standard military duties and as many of them cannot again. There's a new former military do that they see for themselves. And that's to again to. To be positive to be upbeat to talk about going back to a unit to go talk about other roles they can play in the military eats -- tiring.

And you talk about Manny hearing it from his teammates about what he missed and I don't know how we should've been there will the front office guys like huge save some similar to Theo Epstein who passed.

Good no I don't think rural low make a a big issue -- we had doesn't make any sure they would have been a mandatory performance for people and.

Harris Eric Terry said if you made it mandatory and a guy like Manny didn't go than -- the big issue in your hands I understand that I understand that but the fact is we did allow people to and to make a choice and some chose to spend some time. Down here with their family -- spring training is a very can very contested third time and as you might imagine I don't want to. Offer any excuses as -- you see people making different I didn't. Doesn't bug you though because we've come a little bit in the Sahara I I heard it bug -- because I don't know Annan on how much I met make a big deal of did you just clearly -- by the collar city you know what you're missing and I think some of the plays are going to do that exactly to a man he should be seen in the present was soon. So nice and so so Pleasanton than any experience it. And there were read. You know only did you get a reason did he say why he wasn't going to attend or just. Didn't -- not to me as it was and have you heard one I have not to know and I think that. A matter that should. No -- in the post season -- reward to them in this is part of it why you win this is part of the you know the thrill of a victim of Americana -- with the World Series Soriano but I but I really. I don't honestly transformed what was any very special morning. Memorable day in -- and so many different levels and to a many radio controversy in the next day -- who was there and who wasn't we'll -- for a major not minutes of the bigger yeah. Tell you know our -- lying down on that it has just deal for.

So many turning the page how important is it to turn the page clearly yesterday was -- another -- looking back. And you have that date opening day we'll look back and get the rings but other than that are you hoping to to put. Oh even as great as it was put 7 behind it and move ahead yet.

So I think that -- We we can be hot and you know we did learn some things from 4 fries and -- the celebration was. Paterno that I was trying there's not -- excessive contract anyways -- it was say it was exciting it. It was the first and 86 years lose a lot of welled up steam in the end in the system. But I do I do think we're that I sensed from the players from the coaches and earlier in the rest of the front office. That says there's been more preparation for -- endless celebration and the balance was slightly different I think you know for a front.

That's why we're trying to make a mini controversy as you said. There's nothing else going on Larry every everybody sign him -- happy we know starting in every position we know who's hitting one through nine we know who's in the rotation. We know who's coming off the bench we know everything prison term for the parents don't stability. Continuity like that there have been okay this is hand they finished your retirement -- back there and I'm wondering does it feel like you on the say it's too quiet it's just too quiet.

I know I don't think so because I do think there are there are more issues they're just not of the highly controversial I do we have good health issues to be sure we have the competition in the -- center field particular. We've got a lot of young players who have got to run make the leap to being every gave contributors of the major league level. And I said to over and over that one of the great joys of a baseball as well as catching arising star. Fining players at the beginning of their career marks them send a step by step to. To being mentally contributors are in some cases big stars in the big leagues so I think that dynamic -- as well.

You know wherever player we've talked to and deal by the way -- struck with the fact of the blend of the the older veteran columnist team of the young guys coming in and contributing and Horry contributing mightily they say it's almost a perfect when it's about what you would dream of if you're going to set it up that -- in Europe portfolio manager there --

You would you'd want to have gone. Does some stocks have just opened some all of the other different -- some in the prime of their career as we have with players some young players there's there's a nice. There's a nice mix but as we all know you need health and you need good fortune. We've got a lot of other things so -- the the coaches and the manager and I think that does they are too often overlooked particular coaches. And and in his coaches John -- doing the -- does a masterful job well with the pitchers. We've got Dave -- man with our hitting coach is is a stability there and they and brad mills does an excellent job training camp but I think too often we we east gloss over the contribution the coaches may take to make your -- And with do you who continuing on for years that we stability -- the coaching cauliflower and.

were you in the Curt Schilling negotiations and do you feel like that and that whatever dissension there was. That is somebody in the organization saying see I I have a feeling this could happen there were taken a big chance here. Did it creates an internal problem.

Well let's see as for questions -- On the first and had they had him on the first one not sure I was involved as earlier John and non dominant Tom Warner of course. With with Theo and -- baseball operations department when you're dealing with a a major free agent. Retention are positioned noticed something we do get involved and and we did discuss the our our medical team was I was actively involved. So that was a collaborative effort when you're dealing as you might expect -- fifth -- stature and -- and Kurds alms contract size. So on that's that's the first questions -- guys who voted no today they gloating today. Arm idea I don't know that it was. He is -- easy it is to discern who was the S knows and knows say it was much more of a consensus process for people or contributing -- by the end of the day they consensus was that -- The smaller incentive -- contract was appropriate and while there was a concern as to whether he we've done. I'd be the same Curt Schilling that we've had in injuries years there was a hope and expectation that he was going to be able to to perform in a in a way that would be in those significant as team.

Learn the Red Sox management ownership and baseball peoples confident in what your doctors are suggesting the treatment be as curt seemed to be and his doctor.

well three weeks too we certainly do you have great faith and our medical staff and I think they've -- and they are exceptional. And a proven their mettle over the last several years with his team I I need like to think that as -- gets -- then he has he's been diligent in been doing his rehab. And then and I think that over time there's a chance that he will -- the see the progress -- can be made from this. This modality this approach do you you talk to us.

At length about the internal debate discussion when glen big items come up at the end of the Johan Santana sweepstakes. Was everybody pretty much on the same page -- indicated that the price they ultimately wanted was somebody that. Nobody in the organization really was willing to --

Third up is exactly right there -- do prices of course the first price Brendan players proved to be just a little too big to swallow and then our concern about the second priced as to what kind of on. -- salary structure that could result didn't hear internally and we have. We're ninety you do -- Push the envelope and create new levels which is in some ways this is contract did I'm going to 137 point five million dollars. Over there with six year period that is not the kind of contract that we have on. Routinely entered into the.

You know one of the reasons it is so quiet and peaceful and stable here in Red Sox camp is that none of your guys were in -- Mitchell report many good players you can't say that about too many camps in -- some kick some camps are up two and in their -- on -- in Atlanta Houston and New York. Hank Steinbrenner at least implied that's because the fix was in you and your -- George Mitchell. Red Sox director in charge now we've talked about this before we view and I have admitted and mix -- terrific job. But did you have a problem with with makes -- just floating that theory.

I was asked about and nine in. Did -- my version of the no comment -- us or something like I didn't think that gratuitous and reckless. Accusations like that the game -- New York merited a comment. Some acquisitions and you know I what's your relationship with a heck -- I don't know I don't know -- never met hank. I do know the moon most of the other Steinbrenner send that have been involved. -- I knew -- Steve stone though when he was a running the Yankees but I hank is. He's not someone I believe I may have forgotten other weaver introduced some point along line but I never Menem.

Larry in your estimation everything that's happened to Major League Baseball from December 13 to February 13 and now even today with the Justice Department now apparently getting involved. Good for baseball bat for baseball or somewhere in between both --

Both there was a need to. To put the punctuation Mark in the end of this you couldn't do that the without -- thorough examination it was either going to be done by congress or is going to be done in the -- in a way that congress. Approved -- and I think that's the Mitchell report was but there are certain chemicals of that. Unintended consequences of that there we're still dealing with but at some point I think they -- is that people see. That they commissioner is determined to us to deal with this issue that we are determined to to. Even more. Strict -- and rigorous and enforcement of the issue going forward ended we're gonna -- discourage out of the game and then and that's what's happening it will take a little while probably. Any surprises in the Mitchell report when you read this the Mitchell and heard and we shot -- or a grizzled veteran like Q did you see that coming. No I didn't see I didn't see some -- coming some on the Estes is of the assorted dead details we're really things that I have never observed and in fact many people until -- the stuff took place as you saw him. Hotel rooms or in other at home and another training facilities I just. The post society really ever came to seeing it and physically was the issue of create dean Richardson can Kennedy's. -- locker when I was just San Diego and I creeping facility is not a steroid. But it was was my I don't know if it's fair color of the steroid precursor or something out of that at least raise some eyebrows and there was there was some discussion about did you enjoy reading DOC -- I made up covered up. I'm kind of yeah I think -- that we were doing aren't aren't due diligence and that response was -- it was checking out the history reputation of the past the some of these guys.

Where does this strike you as ironic that before the Titanic hit the steroid iceberg there would be no bigger incentive. For four minor league players guys on the cusp guys who've already established themselves in the major leagues to look at somebody like bonds and Clemens arguably the two best performance in their craft in our in our agents say my god that's what steroids can help me do and then at the end of the iceberg wants the Titanic -- sunk. There can be no bigger deterrent me forget testing forget suspensions forget public embarrass him to watch what has happened to these two American baseball icon this kind of ironic that at the beginning. They were consenting people would do this at the end you look at this oh my god and I don't want any part of that.

That's an -- take on and then that that is of course one of the purposes of an investigation it's not just to to go through the motions but he still has some. Deterrent effect not. On people are going to see the depths of the problem we're going to see the tragedies that grew out of it and be deterred in future conduct so around. In some ways the end of Mitchell report -- already that made a major contribution.

Do you grasp or understand Clemens defense and his digging his heels in here I mean -- that we find out today he is now put himself in legal jeopardy and could stand to do time in prison. You know my.

That's a very sensitive topic for firm for me is discuss I know and we all know -- a intense and competitive guy he was as as a pitcher. And I saw maybe that's as far as I should go I'm a little surprised that down it's and so his legal team mom be and bison might end as they did it in the in this matter. How -- you will or else either way or some other guys have come out of this who have. In effect confessed hair really admitted what happened in. But then you know I don't know who the absolute bottom line facts are can't be commenting on our.

Let me follow up this in your estimation -- climate or is our environment somewhere in baseball for Barry Bonds to play this year.

Yes I suspect the intensity in the game is such as the desire to win is such that people make and various bargains -- the various players in various stages of their career in order win so I think it's possible you know Andre -- some of this speculation and the in the newspapers about the American league in DH is and all that. Aside I wouldn't put anything beyond the busted their almost possibility because they do you think people are want to win people being on and then. Where they can if Schilling can't pitch again is there any chance to try to. Recoup your money. Now how well I'm not going to dress says that down and say that we're hopeful that they Curt Schilling is going to be able to pitch this year and make a contribution one point there was talk about me a Clemens like second half contract for him. And with a little bit of of gridlock and a lot of hard work on until it's right there's a chance that he can be a pitcher who comes back. In August or September and ideally knock on wood doesn't pitch in the playoffs. So on that's on want to focus tell you beat these little 3.

And the -- stand to make the money for the weight incentives even though injury having I haven't seen the the language in the contract I think there's so. You don't have to look at -- see if -- requires they be on the active roster and I'm from do you have that Bartolo Colon is -- I -- I had. That's not.

but I got a question all our meters wondering if there really very very good -- Manny come to Japan -- how intelligent cannot do reminded me. To do the this year who I know not editing the chair. But you are invited me into two not a lot of rocks in Japan and sightseeing in due on that and I'm sure year station is so well yeah enough to cover that. I'm sure they are there's no doubt about -- may seventeenth last year. Probably one of the greatest highlights in Red Sox history Eric Hinske maiden on the best catches you'll receive also a home run to win the game against the tigers. Why I was an Eric Hinske at the white assistant.

Well it's good question I think it's because she's in another camp and -- I hope that some effort was made to invite him we we did that the last time. But I'm not aware of whether we dropped the ball on the -- not I think that he probably has seen his work cut out from self insure himself in position in and that I can't. And but I will I will would inquire kind of curious do you lose he was and they made made a real country must.

He's a press the Red Sox clearly get a good talk really Larry thank you get you ask -- to Japan the know. No no. Well this guy can I think there's -- my and I putting shameless -- for our in an effort to get more our fans Gundy surely -- endlessly in the charter. You can kind of leaving.

Pictures and forty sevens you know I was there and it's done -- it's opened our fans for five neeson tickets for the games are available on and receptions with the players. It's a Red Sox destinations if you want to track him down on their checks dot com and it's going to be a very -- trip for our fans as we. Plant the seeds. Or road sink through to more deep live for Red Sox nation in Japan -- Manny going yes.

So I have to say much talent and they are planning on using games and games are men enter your right -- talkin' usually doesn't want to imagine Larry Lucchino -- Dennis and talent Doc Rivers on the other side