04-30-08 Terry Francona

Every Wednesday at this time we talked with a manager of the Boston Red Sox. Terry Francona joins us on the AT&T hotline Terry's also brought to you by a -- insurance -- hair transplant and interest systems good afternoon Terry.

After a great -- I'm not -- ask are you yeah yeah. Yeah it is it's part of my life let me ask why it. Well all I know is I heard you know deal comes back to me in -- you're talking about my back you know it's. It would get all upset about what you wrote in my -- it's really distressed at how yeah. -- good chance want to -- told dale I've probably told you -- I -- a you know that's the good points definitely I definitely do about it I -- about it that way.

Yeah you're going to see about 200 baseball games this year -- overtake with pre season and hopefully post season. And regular season I'm not sure you'll see a better one than what you saw last night.

O'Neal Davis plated a 22 hour eighteen minute clip in totally very often. I don't star of our guys coming in. You know you want to win so bad it's hard not to respect awaited how they go out of business being here -- teammates talk about it you want to -- compete who works quick. He throws about minute for the bowl golden deal excuse cut mental way use intimidate me. If you got a lot of weapons and universal harder to talk somebody left the game. But Jon Lester pretty much matched him pitch for pitch and I know there -- different stages of their quarter those exciting night force.

Asked if we're talking about this earlier off the top -- mentioned last night. That he he was looking for he was wondering if you going to pinch run for Ortiz and they found out later he said today on the morning -- he found out that. You'd have a lot of options available to you but. My question is this even if you have options available. I think you don't pinch run form because who knows what you don't score there and you come up in a situation you have jet -- hitting behind Manny and it is that your view of how do you view.

Well those -- you can even. Go back to field four playoffs when we didn't run for David. And probably people -- ninth inning and he won the game in the thirteenth inning there are times when. -- for whatever reason we may elect to do it well well I am hesitant to do it. Because of what is that means coming around. The next time missed about a possibility dark times we'll take a shot depending on the situation in the bullpen or the situation the other team's bullpen. -- who we have available who's hitting the water are ought to scored what are the chances there's like total command the points west might. I thought there was champ and Davis and Floyd Cordova can in the -- but we really didn't have all America ought to do. Pedroia had just don't want to shoulder you know we were we were. Get news this has been the way it's been for a week or so you have to kind of hopefully you do little -- if you win with a rather than a little bit loose.

Would you ever consider using a pitcher to pinch run.

library would rather not. I think we have some guys can do it when Bryan Corey was here he was dark particulate Javier Lopez couldn't go play golf -- mean he's that type of an athlete and you know what you're probably asking for trouble -- we're going to situation around players. But I don't well again and we have guys that are out there every day you put that kind of position -- to probably make a mistake and it's not get hurt and then all hell broke loose.

Speaking of all hell breaks -- you -- sure that was the flu. They hit you over the last two days and and it seemed like some man from the 1920s some plague that the doctors didn't have an answer for.

Yeah now well we I've actually bid I said after the game unless like talked doctor wrote an aboriginal 45 minutes on different subjects and Dallas one album and just said that everybody got a little different mean there was no employment would be which which owners stand. Put them there was some other things guys got hit differently protect got hit bottles or are you could. Impacted Dice-K Delcarmen -- got different November. Just been hit cold it was -- it was it was tough on everybody just. You know you can imagine -- 3040 guys in Rome. -- we do a great job passing along and get on an airplane -- circulated there we would get a group which were were very close team as we've proved we. -- passes stopped along very well.

Are how the hell did you avoid it.

Just what are you trying to -- I didn't -- motivate them. And -- did well documented and I have come out of all. Arm up like two months later after old dog not a kept almost -- the going to -- and I don't. And apparently wasn't going to do that and Ottawa says saying your bill -- but it's still debate about it on the bridge.

You're your admiration for the way Dustin Pedroia goes about his business is pretty well documented I mean I get there on Wednesdays and I see him out there at 3 o'clock in the afternoon taking extra ground balls and extra BP. Bought me and the play he made last night in the situation that he made it that's as good as it gets.

He willed himself to make plays a mean you have to have talent. -- just keep people at a talent doesn't matter what you Willis when you have bold. You know ball wasn't going to get by -- whether or shoulder all the soccer not the process he was going to make up play and that's. I mean he's special pride about -- 45 missed his club possible or become a lottery. Don't beat pop off to somebody alluded to the club up to disaster one approach it is it's just did get it liven up the rule. Basic good guy to have -- side because all he wants to win that whatever does.

What's his status for tonight.

I did okay I actually text in the sporting World Cup when. He shot right back that he -- respond not want to check on my body -- great test ballot -- Fine but again you always want to check the next morning just diminishes somebody's at wake up all the sudden it -- we got a problem.

You know you talked about -- how he competed last night he was great and and so is Lester not really sure how would ask the questions ought to -- out there care. With what Lester he hasn't done it for an entire season and I know you guys in spring training and looks like he's ready to take that step. -- looks like he's ready to take that step and being ready is a different thing you guys. Factory and inconsistency when you are coming out of spring training do you say -- he could give us twelve wins but they're going to be some nights. We've got to throw a three hitter and there are going to be some nights we'll be out in the fifth inning mean is that actually factored into. A team when you're coming out of.

Well yeah kind of -- battle all the way to look at the Koreans because well I think we care Baltimore's the process and then if a guy is good enough. You know and cart teams could not for alternative not believable or about these -- out there long enough -- he does what he's supposed to. Sometimes when -- little skewed. But our team will be in good shape I think with young pitching you always have to factor in the point -- there's going to be some early exits that she passed away the game goes. You can't get around it certainly want to work but we're trying hard mean. That's what keeps saying -- jobless it'll work in progress because -- because everybody just but he's out there every day try and took. Perfected and do what he does better and and probably the biggest -- is consistency he's gotten. It was got to receiver now he's got field. The cutter trying to do it or he can reach back anytime of the game and brought every want to throw for a strike and you know he's -- In spurts he's not always doing so again. -- ordinary made great progress last night sometimes you take two steps forward one backwards that's the way this game is. And but the good side for us is he's such a good kid he's such a hard worker and he's so conscientious and just keep fight that -- still fight till final always -- Again last like solid -- of what I can do.

And that makes sense to you I'm wondering. Are you less tolerant in July and August of those in of those inconsistencies that you are and April may.

I think if you we have to be tolerant first ball -- wheat flour to make mistakes. And second ball is one when when things are -- perfect you we just don't want to throw somebody aside and go get somebody yelled that -- huge that will be making your mistakes and mistakes talk about a six foot five young lefthander that's going to be durable for a long time rather the complain about it consistencies I think we need to try to help him become consistent about our responsibility -- We -- very here's what else does John Smoltz again if you'd rather than have him go fight the fight alone we want to fight with demand and try to help.

What does it mean to you that he was willing to take the ball on three days' rest when he's never done before at any point in his career.

Well it didn't surprise me I was probably the most consistent of anybody. Are kind of read in the riot act Peter when front you'd have to -- that I you know it just gold. But go whole team war stuff is great -- it will work but you don't got a young two legitimate. We put him in a position where he's in jeopardy that's not good either so after he did that then after we got together and people to Gil has actually isn't about the idea villa brought abandoned. Still I read in the right act again but allowed him to pitch we just told me it was going to be our surely not a it's not surprising that kind of kid he has.

Terry you go through a lot of information in the course of today you look at a lot of different statistical things and scouting reports and breakdowns. And I never know what numbers mean a lot to -- what numbers mean a little -- via other than wins and losses. But -- Dave Ortiz have one of the strangest stat lines you've ever seen I mean the 172 average seems completely overturned in my mind but the fact that he's knocked in twenty already.

Yeah out front sometimes kind of took connected dots can be a little difficult from last year while Lugo the first after although RBIs. And they'll probably saving grace because got a lot of production. Publishers that result but the production is down it is sometimes there isn't a good explanation. I think some open is that early on David had has it was a lot of metal base. They know what you did in the middle order -- you're going to drive some runs it and there's Vinatieri on good teams. We have guys that are dipped in oil Barrett can run he's been taking his walks Pedroia has been. Been on base so there he's been in the -- situations and rolls on base we hope that doesn't -- when David gets hot and I think. Maybe what is being used -- to my -- but saving grace. Is that David even those averages down. His production wouldn't we look couple months now he's got to hit it. -- probably his his RBIs are -- is normally bad I think you'll feel better and he won't he won't tressel much.

I saw Alex Cora and some other guys last night rousing Mike lol after he made a play in the fourth inning you know what that was about.

I don't -- dole over little hole guys I've heard some noise down their but I knew I was about my -- but they're they're pretty close knit group -- they give -- to each other pretty good. I don't know exactly what tells about -- there's nobody on this team that is football. -- a little -- about it and probably a good -- keeps everybody in the place in. It is probably way more often than not a good thing.

How did he -- to -- last night.

Like my cable which is not surprising Panama. Testimony to jump on repeat it worked hard all about -- told me it's funny some that maybe people don't understand. You mentioned because -- got my paycheck that goes -- burst -- the good -- Mike you'll say that. You know he just didn't like earned his -- but that's maybe just the but it tried hard to be ready. And be ready as quickly as we could and be at full strength in. I'll launched and be ready for -- to Pawtucket he he he looked good at any base diving play -- last I'd been became back immediately major wasn't -- field courtesy.

After he told you that you said it and college events and I. Hey it is frustrating sometimes you've had some issues here between the fluent some injuries and I'll -- where where their moves that you know in the normal course of the game you'd be able to make. And right now for various reasons he can't make is it frustrating at times when you can't push all the buttons you might like to push.

He voluntarily not because that's what happens Amanda that happens sometimes you just guys going Nolan that it is what would basically problems -- get them. I think the thing that frustrated me more or maybe like Q what were Tampa Barry. And the things that we elected dude don't go right you know we we give the series and pap doesn't pitched it'll attempt that I elected not to. Then buckled it up or brought bolder things that brought you -- Because you have some place so in that all the moves at sometimes you're kind of forced to. Just play your hand because of injuries that's okay -- will make do without of the things that we do have control when they don't go right that'll probably to me.

No we call this in the radio business Segway -- Segway you gotta have something that we were going to mention that goes well it enacted its time for Red Sox second -- brought to you by Mohegan Sun and -- Mohegan Sun world and play today's question comes from christened R don't in Somerville and it has to do with. Young pitchers and things like that -- he brought up a great point I'm curious about it. He's talking up Thursday April 24 against the angels and I know that's a while back but this'll be easy for you remember. He says my second -- has to do with the balance between a manager and a general manager. Justin Masterson throws his first big league game. Gave you six innings of one run ball Jon Lester at that point had given your five point 4 ERA in a one and two record. It's not fair to judge either Lester Masterson based on the limited work this season. But it's a manager is it difficult to watch master's and go back down to double -- based on what you saw. I would imagine the issue had been settled prior to his start but is there a conversation with Theo after such a great start. How do you keep your player motivated after a very successful Major League debut.

Well okay and I understand the question we would never even. -- that point because. The first thing I ask a player when they come home late -- models of what have you been pulled -- want to make sure there's not a miscommunication especially. When we view -- players maybe coming up and going back quickly that don't want -- miscommunication. And en masse and told exactly it would have been told okay I think you'll go to because because he was -- I didn't want to have a long conversation with -- could go -- big -- what I want I guess my point is is that we knew he was going back to double layer after restart and we wanted. Somebody Mitchell but keep an error however says about keeping his competence up or -- we didn't. Will want to turn this into -- big plots produced cute. Not a situation where -- tiger's shoulders hope we PRD know an advance and then after the game over we called it -- We made sure we spent a lot of time talking to him because he's still in his development process he's a double a pitcher right now he has been thrown. At triple it. Sold Denny pursue great game and I think I've always said it was we were hoping to glimpse some of the future in the present which we did. But he's got some developing to do. Again it but it's exciting -- city but I think you know again the way we ambled toward -- like obvious -- forgot about that.

You know at least so a couple of interesting points and questions I'll start with the one we always talk about a guy come into the big leagues. And then may be being discouraged if he has a poor outing. You know a kid -- caught up and he is shelved whether it's a starter or reliever. On the flip side have you seen different reactions. From kids who get a little taste great taste. Like masters and it and then go back to the minor leagues in the not. They don't use it as an encouraging thing they do that they think well maybe I'm ready for the show now and that sets back the development through you know Adams and.

Yes I do him and you'd see all kind you know in the case of just -- because it's hard to have a better. Outlook on not only baseball but life -- miscue there but to contact -- that don't think that's -- or don't think you'll use it as a stepping stone. And the confidence builder that okay if I make my pitches not only -- public but in the mentally I'm going to be just fine. Now there's there's a big difference -- six innings and pitching 200 innings. -- that's what they have just developmental process because. There's diligently to work consistency comes in the play an and -- Jon Lester has gone through double or triple A -- people at the big leagues not trying to make these adjustments which can be. Difficult so. We can't just. Do the flavor of the week as maybe expand would get caught up always want our our. Our roster would be shambles now we were excited about what Justin did he he's exciting young bring him but he still has to develop and he's gold -- process right now.

And I know you have a good relationship good working relationship with Theo Epstein you did before you signed your contract but now that -- signed contract in. There -- some -- there. Is it easier for you to talk. About a kid who is two years away. Where some managers say let tomorrow's all that matters -- judged on wins and losses may not be here in two years is it is it. Does that contract make that comprehension more relatively.

All it's a bit I'd I'd be very disappointed myself -- hold by never done that. That's my responsibility is to be organizations field. Nobody wants to win or did you want to close the deal and but we I think we both try to balance. Now in the big picture and I think he'll probably have to. Remind me of the big picture times because of the position he's an understatement I don't want to put an oppositional lot. Every manager watcher roster report for today and what doesn't work like that. And he'd sit down. I'm explained it to me away were actually understand that so I don't think -- I don't think we really duke ball had to ball things like that -- we talked so much about this stuff that. We kind of dull and something happens -- older game all the message or comics and not. Pretty much already know how he's going to feel about the move or he's going to know how I feel Ortiz there are two options that we talked it'll.

How crucial was ME want to win the game last night that's the most important thing I understand that. But you also got Jon Leicester out of that game feeling great about himself and feeling great about his performance how tempted were you to bring him back for another and.

No you don't John and I actually if if -- so that goal longer. Because just because of that because of the ups and downs but because you and because utility roles and we had Oki out there that we had power behind him. But you know his seventeen also -- so critical more and I'm glad we did because he ends up or eight really good innings we go to. Not worked out Oswald could interest to just like the previous we can -- which. On backwards this one right it's it's certainly a little bit more gratifying when it works out.

Humility you know if he did another two hour eighteen minute game tonight you -- three quarters of the Celtics talks playoff game think about.

As much as I want to watch it our all I don't care how long we play long it would wouldn't put. Just -- interest legitimate.

Two -- think maybe -- more interesting than any of us imagine.

Yeah I don't understand -- somebody I was like you have five minutes without David stern I I don't understand. This playoff spot if it goes from basketball football I don't get it but it's it's fun to watch.

Terry we appreciate time is always thankful they by the way for being selected a Chris Cardona Somerville has won a weekday hotel stay at Mohegan Sun. Mohegan Sun world play Terry Francona is brought to buy AT&T with more bars in more places switched to the wireless network with the best global coverage. -- The world deliver