04-23-08 Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Joining us now on the eighteenth -- hotline is the manager of the Boston Red Sox. Terry Francona Terry is also brought to you by a make insurance Leonard hair transplant and interest systems good afternoon and happy birthday Terry. Guys I appreciate -- you don't.

It -- you know we're doing great act as a matter fact we have a birthday cake here and I Jessica Alba is going to jump out of it I don't know how you feel about that.

probably don't feel anything out of that.

I didn't look into it and I got a lot of Catholic and.

That this gentleman is my body -- certain -- that is that children yet. At what my birthday he has I don't think I read enough people might -- anymore.

Well I'll say this you are so fortunate that we protect you we have we have a system here we don't let anybody I talk to the manager of the Red Sox who had a young woman. Who came to the book signing the other day she caught -- and repeated that she's totally in love with you and that she she dressed up as mrs. Francona for Halloween so.

Novel operate even ask what doubt would you look it was that is that. Why you don't war would breasts -- sure looked out there.

It's nasty and apparently that's about it honestly got a drop outline but -- be careful Fenway Park.

Roy you know I don't hear a lot of things in that that didn't take me aback for a minute go to. What's where a lot of noise level at minute okay let's move on.

Impact what what I wonder is a scarier thought TO is is that brief moment at the book signing the other day. Or the thought of Dustin Pedroia catching for the Boston Red Sox what's scary.

If Dustin Pedroia is catch and we were something was going drastically wrong but you get to a point -- it's we've sort of laugh about it but. You have to have somebody on their team tell you yeah I can do. I mean it and think just in case it happens you have to have that you know and -- first and most guys who could do it -- always that it would -- to -- all due to a -- told -- overall disable -- Just for a little bit of peace of mind is on his beer and so they'll go back there without good enough --

Yeah let's be honest he probably thinks he can do your job. Anybody's job right.

The public good and he'll he'll fuel he -- the lack problems nor should be a dream. But again it's it's something overlap on the bottom but I don't doubt if if we got a total emergency. People probably built a baccarat crystal ball he probably try to run the game. Estes is personality shows up and tries to -- every day and he's rapidly and I mean rapidly becoming -- leader.

Tito the other day you told Manny rumors that I'm assuming you told that he was going to happen next day off. Just so happens that he withdrawal thrown out of game in the second inning what's the protocol a situation like that need to say yeah I was going to give the day off but. That was given the fact it. I thought you might play a full game now that you were thrown not thrown out of the game. Your day off this move back me how to use do you negotiate.

Well on the protocol is that federally -- protocol for laps. I'll watch talked many in a later left again and and we PK he told me goes it was actually pretty good. He says it's important for me to have tomorrow off at all really news sites it was 11 o'clock game it's not a typical -- He just said right they don't it's really important. And I -- and don't really all -- beset main man he's been a great place displayed a lot of innings and every time Manny doesn't play it's always going to be an issue here and baseball like Damascus would guys communicate and insult on time and and if he's been terrific about destroy even a little ball left hander with a lot of a lot of -- and probably on paper looked like it was going to -- runs. We had great energy out there we caught the ball. Aunt and it was important to mandate to dip -- again if it's important to him the way he's swinging the bat the way it feels I think will be silly in my park --

Now granted you don't have the Rasheed Wallace of baseball on your team you have a lot of guys get thrown out of games routinely. But do you ever go to someone and say. -- for lack of better word. Scold them for being thrown out of a game especially. When you really need them in a situation that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez it 34 hitters that completely changes your team to throw out of the game.

You guys -- certainly go to changes David that bats. When you lose signal that I think that's volume that they know that we have been thrown -- I've actually been blown out of fewer games as a players' private -- And I think -- guys understand their responsibility and they understand it when they're frustrated. You know how we handle frustration as -- how you respond -- tough situations. Our guys you know it's -- haven't -- boys here it is not a regular occasion but it just doesn't happen that it doesn't help went.

You know I understand you can't and won't always bring us into the dugout lot of us know what's going on in their but you've had instances in each of the last two days. Where I've watched you after a play. Stand there and talking very earnestly and and it length with Jacoby ellsbury. And him both of -- of the conversations and with a pat on the Chastain and and he went on down the dugout. Can you share that's what the conversations were about.

on the -- them that this is not a so much a cop out I don't know exactly when the cameras on. Probably have more those conversations then people realize especially with the younger guys we we got a couple wanted table four against Texas was -- first and third situation. I was shallow fly ball Jacoby. Did a great job both. Of the coin to try to draw bad role he got down maligned so far this PD body was go one so he's going to draw is going to make the first -- cut the the ball and will take the run for the out. He wasn't going peavy got out there so far. And then waved to Jacoby off the bag not realizing nobody was of course he could go back I just wanted them to have. We realized -- they're getting hit by you know different coaches and fans are reacting I want them to rotate the plate good. It's just -- what happened in the -- didn't work -- start looking over your shoulder it was a good play. Last night we're just talking about running situations. I want these guys to kind of played peerless and again when you get a younger guy I don't want him looking over his shoulder I want him to understand. How we feel about the game and then go play and let it fly. And -- so if I don't column -- producer of the expect him to understand.

Speaking of fearless this -- very have the green light at all times.

Well and again that's something that I think it is is more -- culture of managerial decision that we don't necessarily want to share with everybody. How we do it it is is different depending on situations I guess my point is is that. We want him to be -- we also there's times when you it's not neuter. Not your biggest run there's times when it seems like it's a better -- chance to to take chances -- doesn't hurt it was much thrown out that's why. We hit Lugo ninth. Even -- cash is playing. Because we can we can turn Lugo loose he's not -- We're we don't want cash lead off an inning so again they're just try to play the percentages.

Now we have always felt as outsiders watching the Red Sox that part of the philosophy here is. That we fans over rate the stolen base as opposed to how you guys feel about it. And then we see a guy like ellsbury up near the top of the league in stolen bases how do you feel about it is the stolen base something you want part of your repertoire.

What we do is we try to eliminated from the other team. As much as we can't without getting in the way of guys successfully pushing Dixie angels not a pretty big task. Well we try to do is use -- strikes again war not a team that's going to when the stole base record. We have some guys that are very capable of of changing the game with their leg which try to use start vantage. We don't like make a lot out of the bases that's you'll get to 47. What a guy like -- very -- like too good example. They've they've missed out they rule over the slide step they were true it was part of his game that was going to help us win. They tried a comeback that and they look at the -- repeating it to bubble that's part of that's part of that's good have been one -- not. Productive shy away from that that's want to restrict us.

It's an -- pretty bizarre day for you yesterday Nash is looking from afar. Josh Beckett is going to start now Josh Beckett is not going to start and have David Pauley. I just give us a sense of how yesterday yeah unfolded in wide Josh Beckett was scratched --

Well by about 335 the relaxing part of the routine part of it very quickly turned into -- mishmash of everything. We're 11 watched Mike you'll hit which what were well look at what part of that because also they're from the trade -- have to. Andy demotion besides we go we're talking about Beckett to talk to him. Quickly realizing it's not in his best interest or even allow him to try to pitch. Sold also you don't full field the guys we -- alcoholic. Unfortunately we had held him out Sunday just because of all he'll -- go around so that was not a realistic. We've already talked first and about sending him back because -- near the back up catcher we decided okay it would just put poly in his place for the night. Knowing after the gables and Paula back and go get more help their whether to pitcher catcher depending on how Ameritech felt so there -- a lot of things were kind of blew it.

How hard is it to have to go through with David Pauley had to go through yesterday where at 2 o'clock you basically say okay we don't need -- 330 -- tracking him down saying we do and Egypt I mean starting pitchers in particular like to get into a routine they want four days to get ready for their stark how hard was it for.

Yet to anything but routine I think the good news will -- on Dickey took it as a compliment probably that we were depending on him and he's actually got a great -- reluctant to publicly about new here he knows everybody Medal is comparable to pop descendants of low. Totally catch an invisible scored eight he handles things really really well. Besides a couple pitches you know -- got out of bases loaded jam you try to get -- in person in you know simple breaking ball which I understand each you know you have bases loaded dont wanna work from behind the count that -- that he. To receive rules -- down and -- over the build Mathis but he actually put the ball pretty well.

You know -- you haven't -- a thing yet you you play 22 games which is about an eighth of your schedule but without with all that said are you surprised or is this start what you expected given your trip to Japan in your short spring training.

You know what I guess you always come back and report -- our record is what the business and regardless of order is you know you try to learn from what you've done and move on I think what's happened is we've really competed well which some products I hope that that's always the case what do we will lose or win we collect your personality start -- come together that happens what was your entire team. I'd like chilled forced him to run out there -- even though they were tough they're the plate the -- body just the wall Choi on the -- I'd start at least here are starting pitcher got thirty jolt for people speak no more efficient. That that helps a lot space when you win -- you -- tired team. Start that's when he starts in the personality formed on the ballclub.

Is there such a thing is as too many come from behind wins semi Nen and I'm not just talking about for the for the sake of the comfort of the manager sitting there but. I mean don't you feel after a -- coming from behind is a losing proposition.

It's hard to win that way and it's it's -- it's it's obviously taxing on your bullpen you know it's not the way you draw it up but again due to build the alternative as a loose and -- parallel -- Whatever happens early you play you through to retarded Ohman hope -- good enough to win. But it just actually going to bullpen and we had to. Kinda juggle and and and not have guys available Saunders and and again if somebody runs little bump in the road. You generally don't you have with the Yankees -- Randall bolt broke we lost we've we have a great comeback we couldn't sustain it because we couldn't stop them in the abilities.

You know -- this you you're center field situation is something that as you can imagine that really intrigues -- most people out there and to be frank most people want ellsbury to have the job but. For you as a manager -- game last night you've already established what the system is going to be sometimes ellsbury is going to play sometimes crisp is going to play. Is it is it tough for you. To maintain that after -- Barry does lead it did last night two home runs per.

Well I think we've had -- to this point actually pretty good bill Brazil plays center fielder Coco is 21 or he's ready to place you still. Fielded we've already talked to JP -- a lefty going tomorrow and it's a quick turnaround told what ellsbury and right will put vocal dissenters were guys are tied in gold. You aware were shooting for it'll -- bottom line is we're trying to win every game we can't taken a step further it's it's it's mine and I think my but our responsibility to make this team in the organization war. So I just can't flat out manager like a fan because that wouldn't be -- my responsibility. There are some other factors to you have to include -- guys understand that. If every -- You just have to do what's right. And it's a long season and you can't just always. And I don't mean golden flavor of the week as you know old spurs what sport that but you gotta think about and our ballclub.

So it in your estimation the way it's going right now do you think. It is something that you could maintain. For the rest of the season for example okay it's quick turnaround so JD won't play that will put cocoa in there or -- going to be there not els birdied the -- that is something that can be successful an entire year.

I don't think we've even thought about it being successful foreign tiger I don't think we have to if you just the normal course of events. Kind of dictate that something's going to happen whether it's an injury. What are some injury to another team built -- picture. There's usually at bats or or worse it'll just. Again you look back it'll ridiculous Ortiz wasn't play in the first month that's our hearts of people -- the fighters later. Read these things have. They have a way -- work about right now. Support an operative for the Red Sox looked like -- well.

You know while going to say -- through it if forgive me for and that's David Ortiz wasn't playing that the first part of a season. That's why you had your job right.

not -- things happen you know you're -- to a near the Red Sox you can't just have nine guys. That you hope re deploy you have to have some alternatives but sometimes guys get backed up. And it it happens it's hard for them to understand sometimes is not the best. For his personality. Which you have to have some alternatives like these guys get beat up because just just just way it works.

I'm not sure this guys on the list and I think it might be unfair that he's not when you look at the whole package offense deep fans both sides of the infield. Clutch hitting everything you can think up shouldn't Kevin Youkilis be on the list of among the best players in the game today.

I think he's trying to make is -- reputation right now I think you know -- start to get some some published because he wanted gold -- boo will refer to play the way you do we've always appreciated that and -- maybe. People who and I don't every have bad but I think the -- biggest humidity start learn this too is. Even if people want to have a little bit of a pitcher after about that act quickly turns into the team concept about ten seconds -- very noticeable. That's just the way he releases and have that and deals with the cares about winning he cares but his teammates and tell you what that's just part -- the most somebody the first favorite every. -- to Florida like comment -- and positional. But that's how realistic goal. And and then quickly and I meet quickly he's -- in Boca me like a play you're -- People think about Pedroia municipally -- openings.

Armor we asked you about your Kalus last year and and the question was how has he improved because he got off to a great start and a great first half. I 2007 and he said that he was he was using the entire field pop up this year has he added another dimension to his game.

Well it's early in the Cambodia you do in the entire field better. And and again I think part of it is the maturation process in the case it's all -- last Friday lined out to right. Deep not deep enough for -- because still April. Doesn't try to do Morse there is on the ball to home run doesn't try to do too much -- target of the three it'll run rolled over some double play. Pete he's understanding that what you do lineup feel the way it's still look good when you've -- reward for that all hitters -- are always able to do that.

Time now for our us Sox second guess brought to buy Mohegan sun a world that play and Terry today's question comes from Joe in stone many he's talking about the Monday games it was not too far back in the memory bank -- Monday morning game against the Rangers Joe writes an eight nothing lead after five innings clay Buchholz sat for 26 minutes and had thrown 87 pitches. As we all know he's on an innings limit for the season. I think it would have been the right time to get him out of there I know he pitched a scoreless sixth -- only a certain amount of bullets in the chamber it seemed like an inning someone else could have thrown your thoughts.

Okay oil and then that's been a good thought I don't think it's correct but I understand the sob behind it I think you have to. -- probably understand we have a little bit more information that are hand then. Whatever what is they've deal teams don't Papelbon was not available that day. So you just took reaction -- us right now. Okajima had been up four days in a row and two of those days you've been up twice. Sold the only way Oki was going to pitch was and it did save situation. Which I didn't want to get into. Lopez had been up four out of five days were trying to stay away from him or sweep gold tool it's going to be middle old use. Just because of been -- all the lefties. Delcarmen we needed to get three innings out of Oakland that is Aardsma bill Harmon. And visit him one. I think that's total was got to but sometimes we had if we had to go to four innings and anybody has a bump in the road. We're going to end up going to Okajima in the ninth with nobody behind them. We had we worked a little bit limited. In the -- we had available that day can we keep it real close on how many times guys have thrown. And it was a quick turnaround 11 o'clock big game. And we didn't have two guys available we're going to run into a little bit. It'll buying because again if you get into the ninth inning and again the win a game unfolded they scored three. They got a couple runners on you can't just let somebody out there at all warm somebody up. And we really didn't want to double Okajima. Getting through the sixth it was huge and -- we started. -- slow this year because of our awareness of his usage so -- don't interest they were reluctant --

For being selected Joe's won a weekday hotel stay at Mohegan sun Mohegan sun a world of life.

You know Tito going back to your point about you know what pitchers are available on -- and what guys are I said dale allowed on -- you can correct me if I'm wrong on this I said I'm guessing that the games Terry Francona is most proud. Our games when you have an emergency starter or you have a game. Where -- your starter goes three of four innings. And you were able to piece something together together out of -- and that's unexpected I mean I think they'll be. Something that you'd be proud of more than say a a a three hitter.

I understand your point and I think that's kind of hard what I was horrible too -- played until Barcelona they were left -- expression and that'll look great on paper. Accused the all time but there's a percentage it won't -- old one just got to -- it together and he didn't use and everybody and everybody feels included. And it could trigger chemistry didn't Hilliard that the team performance on some personality because everybody -- important. And sometimes guys are asked to do more than they've been asked to do when it gets done. It makes you better -- local.

And Joe from stone a -- with Joe's last -- joke a joke from some okay well. He says something about -- colts than we all know he's going to pitch count or or or innings limit innings limit is that true and it is yet and it Clement this year.

It's not a hard that's that's against the received a lot of life for the world that you guys are on the radio too many hours and he's. You know productive beneficial Celtics -- the pitchers draft it's going to be -- discount. I get our fans are knowledgeable. But again we spend a lot of time that's what we started -- out a little slower than other people spring training so we can build into what. And if we didn't if you wasn't able to go eight or nine in April. We kind of figured that's okay which -- we tried evenly match. Balancing though the starters and the bullpen the thing that I spend just as much time on -- anything is not wearing -- the bullpen because -- we do that. It's a quick recipe for disaster and have this doesn't mean guys pitch and innings in games it's -- up and oh the past week Okajima spent up. We've grab leads one we've been losing in the -- We've gone from. Whoever's been in the game right the -- It'll keep an -- on every night gotta keep that.

I don't know what kind of flu bug you got that then that clubhouse he yours but I do know that if it's tough enough -- not Jason Varitek down for three games it's bad.

I've never seen looked as bad that he try to rally last night it was really trying to rally it's not for five guys down and our medical people been fantastic and nobody at all some separate -- when we all left. That is bolster disinfect the place but I mean it's it's not just for a loop and in -- we're just gonna have to deal that did not an airplane. 45 minutes after game and have now it was a re circulated there unsure of the best thing for -- I noticed the confined we have 3040 people won't want the world -- get on airplanes. We're just laughed despite.

You know we've got to go about it affects the Patriot Act -- without -- They have -- active next week daycare Terry Francona brought you buy AT and the with more bars in more places which to the wireless network with the best global coverage AT&T. World delivered