05-28-08 Terry Francona, Sox Manager

us now on the eighteenth tee hot line. Is the manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona Terry is also brought to you by. A -- insurance interest systems doctor Robert Leonard at 1800 -- here good morning mister Francona. -- I guess we've got to start with the most important question on the minds of Red Sox fans any update on the status of Daisuke Matsuzaka this morning.

No because there won't be until afternoon electoral you have to fatiguing. Oh we go to Cuba on as we did but we also -- people it sort got out their record with the electorate the us but it will be an -- prayer warrior girls all of caution. We give don't know if you tell -- but I knew we looked at a candidate secondary those local -- because after a guy officials. You know he's pretty heated up anyway there won't get some place argument. Blew out go to.

Speaking about heated up too you know there -- some strange things that game last night one of them involved Julio Lugo and eventually you. And I angel Hernandez what was the story there and what what was the -- keep in mind that we have the FCC but just give give us the crib notes version of what was going on.

Well you know unfortunately well women what you -- I saw wrinkles we broke up on on. And a potential six waiting game in the all of or oldies I had no business irbil while you're thrown out. -- want to do -- out of their play and always you know sometimes the worry. Reveal street you can literally hitters don't tip or maybe a perceived -- of brilliance. -- it'll it'll just noticed that often been out try to get out Eric and that only the it was important anyway which I respected it was obvious --

With with some guys at angel Hernandez has a reputation not just with -- team -- a lot of teams and managers that problem with them. But at without naming names and sure there -- certain guys that rubbed you the wrong way do you ever feel like. That will affect what happens on the field if you have an issue with the guy do you think he's out to get should never have that fear.

No I don't think I have ever heard of I think I do think the everybody's human I think I -- probably certain guys the wrong way there's certainly guys won't be wrong -- This -- who spoke of it doesn't look forward prospector they're about to wave goes and anything yet. He'll open it is much you basically it was a what might you move on excited -- the -- always happen but. Most of that would those.

We had an email or Matt and Providence this isn't even the second guess question but a good question on his party says. Can you ask Terry if he was worried that Manny might hit number 500 while you were stuck in the clubhouse.

Also pushed you look. -- was viewed on from order to notify you heard part or most are well below the ball.

So the role there Terry is when when you are thrown out of the game. Are you allowed to have any contact I -- are you allowed to whistle down to mills C are you allowed that -- send a note to him on some things that you want to happen.

DL you know rose both of contact to post corporate office and I think it's fairly job it's OB. You can't just -- if you know -- late run up what some public but. I've certainly spoken -- about god -- you're not supposed to -- don't want to make things worse or about to break things so. You know and by that time opener was normal to -- less regular thing we had to do is we don't run. We're going to run third but it the dog with dealt appropriately pyramid -- onslaught. And and -- it would cashed out also and would hope that it was not to -- with but detective get out of their belt one out what.

Terry you always have much more information at hand about who's available who you know who's pitched lately and all that stuff than we do. So it it's why ask the question when when I look at the numbers for Mike Timlin at Safeco Field. Fifteen games ten point 29 ERA 23 it's eight home runs -- six record. I asked why did you go with him in the ninth inning last night.

Well what we want. Were we were going to -- approach. Believe they have a tie game were now it's everybody. We all of they would promote and build in order to actually got those guys out on the bottom of the order the last night. But he hadn't got a guy on the middle on one as they way we were going to -- support which of the guys get about why it was a situation.

Was there another option was it was always going to be timlin or. Was there -- debate timlin verses Hansen whoever --

I've got a -- of the world. Well the two together type game they're both good pitch. And -- of you who would rather have it have come around and faced the guys that the pop. Because it would have got those guys cover well.

Are are you pretty adamant about you know being on the road in and never going to Papelbon. In a tie game.

I think we've done it before you know again if we've gotten him hot to if you hadn't pitched. There soon his words were words that it is -- it's hard to do well because you're committing. You're committing him to -- When you know that you. Almost meat -- going to baseball and out. That you know what did you rip Richard -- And probably do belong and then if you do have to take the lead you have to go to somebody else. Suited to save it doesn't always quick or.

Now I gotta ask you more interest -- questions I get a yawn write a little my response was going on here.

Yeah I've told you may have.

Did you go to something -- god don't -- the middle.

Overview of the -- briefly blocked the.

some -- say that it that probably throws you out -- throws you -- out there the three hour difference now.

Look very old right get the more phone it won't out of started used to have world that back east coast.

Yeah I'm not sure which your hopes or at at expectations were for Bartolo Colon when you brought him up from Pawtucket when I have -- a hard time believing. That he hasn't already exceeded the -- most.

That great so I thought I'd do without them. You'd you'd you'd -- you don't know what to expect -- for sure overall hope we're surely to avoid you'd Hitler thing. But there's some of the -- about he was a ball movement was tremendous. The only reason for optimism when they're eight and -- optimistic about a pitcher in this day and age you know it's exciting because. Finding -- is not easy.

When people bring up colon they always that talk about his weight. Are you guys comfortable with the with the what is wade is and what his conditioning programs -- so far.

Although comfortable -- his conditioning broke about her shirt and a great job we certainly try to do some good at some point or he can refuse to look pretty. Often because again the third degree of these are just to do things through delivery or or as a hitter great big they're athletic. So all time but again the way he gave me an. In the way you word view now rode hard that's all we about there.

unfortunately -- in Seattle in the state of Washington you know there's a connection to a sad story. And we hoping has a great ending a sad story involving Jon Lester and his dad. -- I'm guessing that you knew about this a long time before the rest of us did. And and that probably went into your emotional response with Lester after he threw his no hitter.

Yeah I'd been -- since New York Post and if at all. And -- on Q and talked about it but he water going to be really confidence old public so that you know that the wait till. But it was all around my head I talked must -- couple times. So -- I don't know those men and then just told me that is it about him that you would get -- well aware of that too. It's been pretty good about how to -- that they don't respect this but it certainly on my mind it was.

You have to think I mean. One family within two years the father and son both diagnosed with cancer -- you wonder sometimes how much can one family today.

Well I think the good news news is that the -- mister muster only. Fully expects to resist John those who died whip just not died from a and they get easy. As it is going Brewster but a little tired is over the double switch hitter who wants. But that the regular not going to stop the -- through it I'd dug ourselves popular site about a half hour that's exactly right field. That with the political well.

Well believe it or not -- recent questions actually lead us to today's Red Sox second -- brought to you by Mohegan Sun world like. Today's question comes from Ryan in Hamden Connecticut. He writes this question is not one based on a specific mover -- game so I hope but still on the Spirit of the segment. In light of all the things that have been going on with player's personal lives in the huge amount of media coverage the Sox and all sports yet. It seems like managers and coaches have a lot more to deal with than just the actual games. My question is how much do you deal with things outside of baseball on a day to day basis and how much has the manager's role changed over the years.

I think the bedroom all the strings significantly over the years. -- it's not just Xs and Os -- That's the easy part you know what you want to -- for the game and everybody likes that talk about it and maybe Doug effective but but I don't -- part of what to do it. That these -- The hard part is trying to not not hard -- got to remember -- don't -- human being going. Last week showcasing -- all local folklore is or shot at least furcal is even do. But in all it's almost -- case. I was gone for a couple good news and then equality back had a double to the hospital open again ruling nobody's. Don't know -- nobody cares Little League that we were jobs do and and a -- to a you're always dealing with -- you know somebody's breaking it somebody's wife is sick. But that's part of what we do it and I think it helps you better. -- you know -- deal was why -- deal with them -- can it help orbit players. Lives well over my house stood keep but I might just. Different things with some -- it goes both ways and start building relationships and and that's why we we talked about loyalty -- the way we do. Ashley Papelbon made Ronald my counselor they could do support my kids went out on the road you know it'll -- young Q at this opus. It's -- it is part of what we do and it's important then as you get to know these guys because sort not a stronger.

And I I know you had some. A close relationship with with minor league managers you mention -- pitches as one guy you really respected and and you learned a lot of managing from him. How bout at the Major League level was there any manager do you feel like you had a connection with the same way guys have a connection with the --

I hope not that that'll lead that I only that are regularly but I don't quite do better than because the -- the idea that word and what better. -- because I've played with like a lot of respect or in Oakland talk -- Buck Rogers. You didn't feel like the very important part of the team and it probably wasn't. That's a good but the bet you're a good manager. -- Taylor symposium tomorrow at -- manager spent a lot more time with the Clippers and you have to have. Pox would have been you know put all of their lives and been back 1000 public manager Dave Bowman editor. Throughout the possible these kids so everything that goes wrong in their life you're privy to. And you can't cope with it close moment hopefully you can have a positive impact in -- older book career with -- lives.

I'm on the flip side I think people would love to hear the story about. Nick Swisher is that Steve swisher throwing beer on you --

It -- collect them. That's helping us doing what happened.

The short version we're moving to a new ballpark in post brutal went to play at the and we got killed that night. And he called me -- and he was upset and I made a point that you know the final play the outfield but are we probably would want -- Dave. Ordinarily would blame you just sort of bet that he. Was kind of they'd you know I don't -- there -- if our relative you'll Carriker I go get dressed. And he had his big opponent or else Spirit -- the government would have -- Except that they've been right shoulder that I looked out of them you know I think it won't quite get up particular not only I -- replicate last. And I think they've mentored mister Dunn can I go shower and guys get Bellotti here and the next day and you. Back the lap and but it won't -- on basic.

And they just the opposite of a sudden as me.

It's unbelievable are you -- but I lap like -- now and I feel but I do I laughed third. Third complete opposite two cracks me up.

I'm always amazed at the subtleties that professionals concede that. We fans can't see whether it's you know many left what is hitting the ground once split second too early. Varitek talking last night about the rotation of dice -- ball indicating to him that you know he was throwing it okay. Clay Buchholz is working on something in Pawtucket right now -- and I read some quotes from you about it which involves his his hands up near his head and who finds this stuff how do you figure this stuff out.

Well and then -- Earl Hughes as we talk about the strong. -- But he wanted to do this for awhile again at the very -- level on both at the parent trying to resolve like that so. You know which -- gets closer okay to step in here and try to fix this. Because if Celtic unit but it -- was pretty adamant that can really help him long term and it didn't matter what your other performances. Just to create some movement. On his fastball victims of a little bit more doubt but slider there was a position he had. When he came out of what report got drafted for whatever -- the public good reasons he got moved up top. But it it it is special position. And he doesn't -- just backs so much and and because just passed balls get hit. For the that needs to right now we're sure it. And I think haven't from the this movement justice it will handle but reinforces the policy's scope would have that would CEOs going to be good.

And knowing how much you win all the other members of the Red Sox are loved in New York. I'm sure you you can't you can't wait to be in the all star dug out would like five members of your. Of your playing snapping your whole coaching staff there I guess it's as great things about team now.

You know I gotta say yes looks -- I don't know how little we received a mean that it it is the Yankees roadblocks. But it also is the last all star game ever played a stadium and at that go beyond. Well if it was stuff things like that put. If if you -- baseball at a particular ball -- going to be a special that I have a feeling we're going to be well represented I hope. That would be really really -- but the -- the last game. In create stadium earlier in their dugout and -- onto the Red Sox player because things are are like they used to -- basically. We we have Parker's home. On some things that got away -- get that doesn't mean you'll win it always. -- also means that once you go go -- not kind of you know -- dorsal parole would make winning even possible we've gotten past that now I think it's very evident that we would go about that.

Tito I have to non baseball questions where that are. Extremely important to -- One and will go on order of importance once we've announced this last week. Your son graduated from college what does that mean to you what was your response to -- witnessing nick graduate.

It'll look like I had to get down there are so quick and mother -- sit -- impossible what could goal kind of hectic. We -- That I got down there and it will hole -- up to the football stadium and of the development you'll get a game tonight. And then to -- motor started like third in the big part. -- you know was like slow and emotional all those bode well. -- could be -- more than I ever -- would hold a -- pretty proud they had yet.

What what do you think of me what what you think majors so emotionally did you go back and think when he was five or six years noted that his life flashed in front -- you what what do you think got a.

Yeah like they got -- a lot of things just. Well it was -- was proud -- he did something that I couldn't do and you know I just brought -- that I've. A -- what what we gonna hurt shoulder probably more than anything. Was from -- to get a great education so then they can do whatever they want to do the wood does get a good. I was scared and nervous what I think that the work and we. Shut and so obviously every cute little mics yet and when they go get an education like this and take advantage of a does go pro.

And and to some people -- this is a very humble young man we're talking about but. This is the kid who could run the world means the very Wharton school obvious they have there is a very bright young man is --

Well he says he has. And that's. Doesn't -- we've got some sloppy aspirations but not all of that but I just wanted to come through and I say god we wanted to. To try to do the best -- at that that whatever turned him on and he's got something good that exciting that are different than excite me but he really tried hard to -- good at least a good job.

And the other thing with a little lower and and and pecking order here. NBA basketball we know you love the Celtics what are your thoughts in the playoffs here.

Not much for that yeah. Excited about it I'd I'd worry you have to let them and I'll what I looked group play at the I wonder -- Chauncey Billups deals with the help because I know how good you only can -- so the matchup of these Oakley and if he's not. Things certain -- courses Celtics favor but. You know you know it's hard because we can't watch these games -- to score up in the fifth inning and it's like.

All or somewhere or another club also of course but it fairly violent he'll do what state but it's -- to -- want to but I do want to watch that -- hooked on this treatment. It's totally not real.

Terry we always appreciate time we'll talk to again next week. Take it and they'll pay a couple of things first ball for being selected our second -- questionnaire. Off for the week Ryan from Hamden Connecticut has won a midweek hotel stay at Mohegan Sun Mohegan Sun world to play -- it's also in the running now. Not to be selected at. At random from all of our weekly winners that lunch in the manager's office at Fenway Park and ride Terry Francona congratulates them as -- question that that was very well the answer yeah well if -- Terry Francona brought to you by AT&T with more bars in more places switched to the wireless network with a best global coverage AT&T. World delivered