Tim Wakefield

Joining us here at city of palms park because he was working yesterday -- off the street today he was working yesterday. Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield is with a story good hairy guys going from great thank you fifteen up fifteen down in yesterday's like nothing -- that's right. Wasn't that easy I thought the way it sounded great day I was in Bradenton that they were up. Giving us the reports up there and it sounded like -- and I know Kevin Cash said he's never senior knuckle ball looked better than it did yesterday.

That's good news here Kevin Kevin did a great job this day in just one of those days -- You know -- after the the united. Struggled with the strike the first thing but after that I kind of they're working not checkpoints mechanically in was able her on the strikes on second to the fifth and you know after after that was like okay I'm done already -- How how it was winter and spring training been -- so far attempt the usual I'm ready got to -- ship after about three weeks and this -- grade health wise up felt great just excited to. To get over to -- I'm excited about the trip to Japan but I'm excited to get over there and represent the Red Sox and Major League Baseball internationally over there and play some exhibition games and get the season going. I don't know how the -- the soft philosophical -- can talk you are. But I'm just thinking about this the other day. 1995 I remember Tim Wakefield coming into Boston -- Around made in the coming in Maine was is that it was it was it wasn't at the very beginning of the season. No that was that was the -- your it was after the 94 strikes we got under our training started late. And then the season was I think started may fifteenth there are -- fifteenth or something like that an and I got called up I was actually released by the pirates that spring. Signed with the Red Sox spent about ten days down here working with the -- brothers went to the talk and made three starts and then. Got called up and went out to Anaheim and Islamic great run there but some 95 to 2008 when -- when you've got your 95 what we were you and thinking about the future rethinking. You know I'll just hang around here three years -- five years what was what were your thoughts and thirteen years yes is crazy. Not forgot release I thought you know my career was over with the drive from Bradenton obviously back to Melbourne where I live. Was a long one and then I got a call from Dan Duquette to come over here so just wanted to stick around you know even when you're young player back then he got a -- the year and you know you want to just try to. Play as many years he can maybe three or 45 years but you know. After that it's like okay let's play. You know multi year contracts come into play Sergei got three more years -- goes from there and then there's a -- kind of -- has for the last 45 years like. And then you look up things like holy -- my fifteenth year in the majors in my thirteenth here facts in my fourteenth you're the Red Sox so. It's unbelievable for me to even comprehend that at times.

We -- up in Bradenton yesterday and there were several guys pitching for the pirates. And it and we were thinking about you know it's almost like this is your last chance here whether it's Byung young Kim -- writer for Casey Fossum you know trying to get a job trying to -- gone somewhere. It sounds similar to the way you felt about it when you're in Bradenton all those many springs ago.

Yeah -- you know it's it's -- that organization has. Bit and then the way it's been for the past. Fourteen years was when I was there in 92 as the last winning team they had. The one they national league east and lost to the braves are seeing in the NLCS ever since then they have -- A great team and it's unfortunate that -- They're labeled that way is that okay if you're playing for the hard to see your last chance and that's that sounds like. Playing two Tampa Bay Tampa Bay's -- surgeons here in the American league east they're going to be very competitive this year so that's unfortunate and you know that's just the way the market is in the way baseball is sometimes.

I was and it -- before he got appearance and Tim Wakefield is probably been asked this question two dozen times already so we'll make it 25. We'll ask you. The effect of losing a guy who was caught you many years and Doug Mirabelli when you heard the news what -- your reaction I was shocked you know. Figured you know if they sign in the wintertime I figure okay were going to spend another year together worked well you know and over in my early camp com all sides call all the games that I pitched here in. -- We stand now for BP you're getting ready for game and I think David Ortiz was his group was saving -- or stand now by the bucket and he. Went by and said something like hey Doug you've just got released in. Think they'll stand with Mike Timlin and a couple of guys an -- yeah you're just you're kidding right he has -- serious season side so. They ran and then took Doug you what's obvious they just release me and I was completely shocked. But you know Mike Timlin we spent some time and talked -- and Tito and Diaw called in the office and explain why in you know it's -- I understand it from business wise I don't understand why -- released but unfortunately sometimes. That's the business of baseball it's hard to swallow at times and being -- Doug you for such a long period of time in the things that we went through in the things will be accomplished together it was a pretty sad day for me and and you see things that that we don't see in the fans don't see so fans were going to -- versus cash. But but in terms of what you do do you see a big difference of how how this will affect your performance -- moves are going to affect you not having their ability knowledge should not uncomfortable with -- doctor he he did a great job. We're going to get hurt last cheery commune Tampa you come in Chicago and two other starts and armor or they were but. I felt comfortable with him was like I felt comfortable with Josh Bard -- two years ago but. The comfort level that I had with Doug. We'll take a long time to. Obviously give back. I'm not saying that I'm not comfortable with -- specter now but there was somethin' he's -- that. Many years with your own personal catcher nearly eight years it's their somethin' there's you know there's some nuances that you pick up on each other or that he. Learn about my mechanics and -- she's trying to learn that now so this learning curves start over again but as far as Mike. Comfort level with -- is definitely going to be there and I don't have any -- also do a great job back there.

remember we ask John Farrell about this when he first got to town about about the difference working with you was supposed to everybody else on the staff and learning like you said your checkpoints and and it do you feel like you when -- gun on the same page so that he can look at you know take a Tim this is what's happening here.

Yeah absolutely he picked up on a runaway rusher during spring training and I had written down you know from years ago some checkpoints and I needed to really concert out of my mechanics -- out of whack and I presented those to John and he watched on -- you know he did a great job last year of catching it quickly. And taking more pro active approach instead of reactive approach during the game. Behavior almost drop and you need your charm opera -- some checkpoints -- that showed him. And I he'd get a really great job and you know coming in spring training this series run on top of it from day one.

I've heard several pitchers talk about the communication from -- to the staff. And veteran guys who said man he's as good as anybody I've ever worked with in that regard to I have to agree that you know -- had some great pitching coaches from Tony -- under two my -- the guy that for four years but.

Half you know Wally was great Tony conjure in and you know Ralph trolls stepped in for a little while and you know now John Carroll it's it's it's tremendous that you know John brings a different aspect to it. That he's always the first guy and and I gave them a lot of credit last year for god it never. Had major league -- coach job before he ran to our camp flawlessly and he was prepared everything was scheduled out and I was I told my friend has done this your first spring training done so it is unbelievable everybody had their job to do everything. Was work you know right on schedule just the unbelievable how he handled the situation. And the other guy that you won't mention a guy that got -- the guys didn't like him the pitchers didn't like that -- will what what was the story there.

Because everybody knows who that other guy we will know you don't have to say his name -- a manager for about that long after about a day. You know. I gotta say he he was he was prepared as far as stats are concerned on what. How to prepare for and I have to give them much credit me and I hate to I think the biggest problem that I had with -- was. I didn't follow his program I was a bit different guy and therefore. Also I'll be blocked because I think I can now is that I think she couldn't take credit for me being successful therefore we'd get along very well. I think there's probably a very good that sums it up -- are.

I remember when you when you first started to when you're getting into two on the knuckle ball. Some of the veteran knuckle Boller is were Niekro who you go to for advice and I go to Niekro for adviser Charlie Huff for Tom Candiotti. Have young knuckle -- come to you and and and they've said what Tim Wakefield the most successful knuckle ball out there and they come you and ask you. There's a kid and Chicago White Sox organization named Charlie here. Dead is when they were in town are we were there he would tomorrow -- on the side -- watching games and I think he's got a lot of tapes of me pitching. And now we have a kid in our minor league systems named Charlie sink that watch me throw yesterday and we talked a little bit and you know is guys pass the torch to me and taught me a lot about the not -- ball and I think you know. If there's any more guys out there and love the talked -- moment but I've been able to to pass on some knowledge and some information that I gain from. Guys before me to the younger generation.

I was making the case over the weekend for you pitching the second Oakland game in Tokyo and there were a lot of reasons that I thought were valid one year veteran status on the team you've kind of earned that opportunity. They're really good record in domes. Everywhere but Seattle and sort of like Griffey and those guys might -- some to do a lot of you about your your dome record is great I thought you gonna get one of those two games were you surprised you didn't not for.

Only a minute I'm. I told them that it if if needed be that I could probably -- but I think their biggest concern is they've mapped out my. Starts and they don't want it to vary from that. And I -- agree with that to an extent because you know use the routine and you want to stand -- routine and if they moved me up and something happens and then it's screws everything everybody else up and I think they just want to stay you know the plot -- and for jobs. And then -- analysts are still be on their schedule and everything work on from there. It's better to not necessarily give up a game but. Plug and a guy as a substitute instead of trying to rearrange everything and then screws up and it hurts us for the rest of -- what what.

Your offseason training like is that remember the last time I saw you speaking publicly was right for the World Series in. There weren't all the eyes in that room where driving heard you talking about you wanted to pitch -- couldn't pitch and I think some people thought Holliman is at the end of -- career after that press conference so what did you do after that point to get ready for this season.

The biggest thing. It was a rest.

You know that was that was a hard thing for me that to do is. All the press are saying you know can't it's -- World Series of suits the last thing I wanted to do but. I thought it was best for the rest of the team to the point where guys in there that I made that decision along with Tito and John Carroll and and deal that the winner time. You know I just in the doctor said just make sure you rest I normally start thrown December 15 my waited till January 1 is -- to get myself -- two weeks especially with the shortened offseason but as soon as I got home I made sure gotten jam and you know got my strength back to my shoulder and did all the the rehab stuff that trainers and wanted me to do and I don't want to start throwing January 1 that wasn't wasn't an issue anymore. -- you can debunk some myths forest right here. We always hear the knuckle ball as good drove forever because your daughter -- daughter don't get tired I -- thousand -- here you get tired right. A lot of when I was younger I felt like I can start and then the next four days in between actor probably go to the bullpen -- some figures did help I -- and I did do that. My age now 41 it's not possible I'd rather just stick to my routine but. To debunk that myth. I challenge anybody to just draw their play catch with your kid and Terrell. We received the warmup so I got 4050 warm ups before the game plus -- him between innings plus 400 and some pitches that I throw during the game. Equals maybe close to 150 to 200 just go play catch for your kid and throat. The ball 200 times CI feel and expect. Even though you're not throwing harder still put and some just not the stressful as Josh Beckett -- Curt Schilling but there's still some stress there and you know it's not as easy as people think it is. What you expect from Daisuke this season. I expect a lot of big things out of him you know I think key had a lot to deal with last year with playing in the United States for the first time getting used to. A five man rotation instead of I think these five guys but they always had Monday's off so we used to get an extra day of rest I think the media attention on him has died down a little bit I think that was a huge thing -- had to overcome last year I think he settled -- with the culture of the United States and I think he's. You know relax more relaxed I've noticed that he's a little bit more relaxed this spring good teammate great teammate you know him -- you -- their their great. Joke around what -- try to learn Japanese are there during the should get a lot better and it's it's it's fun to a beer on the desert they're great teammates because that gives them Japanese would ya.

Imus is good morning credential was good afternoon. That's about all -- know well we're going to be following you -- Tokyo you feel like I could talk a horizontal that it looked great dale -- and gave us a little laugh at the same book I you're their last for Sox yes -- 100 do not touch it that's six. -- have to see see you tomorrow and I leave the club also always make sure it's old you know Daisuke in Hokies my bus stops and see tomorrow. Well it's great to see again great to see in another spring training here and I think everybody's ready to. Get on with it other than that seventeen hour flight I think in the middle airman is looking forward to the rest yeah we we're excited get over there that the hard part is the flight you know we got briefed on it. How the best. Stay away -- fairway yeah I don't sleep -- no one nobody's there they'll follow that logic no please stay away how does that that -- when you get there you go right to sleep did you get in at like midnight. Yeah we had helped what's weird is we lose Thursday completely it's gone it's gone we did and Thursday night at like midnight right so we conclude this third David I think. But the you know doctor -- explain to adjust your your body clock is solar powered soul with the sun you want to be awake. We're going over there you lose in the days so you want to stay awake too long as you possibly can. And that way like they also when you get there. That talent o'clock you'll -- sleep if you sleep quality over there and get in there at 10:11 o'clock you'll be up all night long and then you'll. You tired during the day now on the Internet on the contrary they said come on home slowly as much as usually come on homes ago. That part I think I can do it's the state and I like go over I don't know for thirteen -- awake all night. Well will all well all the experiences together on Wednesday it's great seat -- good good to see you guys thanks traveling thing as luck against in Tim what Tim Wakefield joining us Sports Radio WEEI