06-03-08 John Farrell, Red Sox Pitching Coach

Joining us on the line right now is the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox I mean we always -- talk baseball with -- But he's also here on behalf of the mass mentoring partnership John Farrell as -- John dale Michael how aria. I don't go to very.

John John would agree we're not all the people who were sitting -- emails about. Replacements for David Ortiz because the news coming up you know -- that game on the line. Perhaps somebody. You played well I yep you play with Julio Franco -- felt -- hit.

Well I think everybody -- all of this Carter saw in the last year at DH. You know upwards of 4849 years old you know is still in great shape I don't know but he didn't know step into the -- of poppy but unfortunately -- going to be about his purposes as -- post with Diaw here but I'm sure they don't you know what Kamal what a suitable replacement whether Sean -- Someone from the mightily to come up to it took so much spot but we've got to tell that it was given that -- that was the lineup but without -- if it becomes a little later.

When now when the bus -- Fenway after the airport last night did someone have to lead you home -- you remember how to find it 'cause it seemed like you guys have been on the road forever here.

Yet Richard and I think you are looked the other day I think we played the most road games of anybody in the American League and and as good as record is here and why -- we can't wait to get things started here tonight what the a ten game homestand here start with with with Tampa bay in. Uh oh we're we're very fortunate and very thankful that back a beer beer in the in Boston.

John heard Curt Schilling on the station this morning and asked him about Daisuke. Being on the disabled list in -- theory is that Daisuke is a little confused not by anything that you guys told them but. He compared him he said Daisuke was like the Michael Jordan of Japan was the best pitcher in the country. And everything he did -- worked and now. -- this is something a little different for him. With your discussions with Daisuke. Before putting him putting him on the disabled list did you sense that from him that there was a little confusion or that this is just uncharted territory form.

Well I -- so there was confusion because at a time of a pitcher or player come out of the game because of an injury it's very clear that he can't continue on. In -- given game. And there's going to be some acquire downtime Daisuke has experienced you know someone issues. Or there was one on the helmet that that they put them on the disabled list when coaching back in Japan's so he has. Yes sometime in the past on one other occasion that was five years ago there's been you know on in Iraq that's the sense -- But it was a where they -- very clear about -- all -- pitchers in the case like that when he comes out of the game. We're going to go through when necessary evaluation process that all of which is built -- we require -- in strengthening two addressed the fatigued at this present there. I can tell you elaborate looked yesterday that the conversation where he's very eager to get things going. -- ops that indicates that internally you feel good. But we want to be sure that the strike levels -- they're choose to incorporate that -- the -- program and so you get him back on the mound in gauger sunlight.

We talked to Terry last week about Clay Buchholz and Terry mentioned you had actually seen. The vote and the -- flaw for the sake of a better term the flaw in his delivery and where his hands were in relation to his head. Is that the sort of thing John it's tough to correct when your in the rotation every five days at the Major League level.

While -- occurred accomplish that is so it is so but when you make an adjustment. What that nobody cares whether it's in the bullpen session. And you feel of the new muscle memory that may take over a lot of times what happens it is like you revert back. To the old movement where he gained speed or your adrenaline rush. Continues to get to its highest we felt after the now you'll we made it just what goes on spot which was moving his hand. To a more recourse are probably five or six inches away mr. I don't allow them to command based all of -- better in and concessions but. What he needs now is repetition -- memory and also due to not allow the emotional the adrenaline. Cause them deliver and that's why I think it's practiced I'm used to host the best. Not that it is development to tremendous fastball which he will definitely be more consistent intimately well.

Have you found any physical flaw and Hideki Okajima is delivery right now.

Now you're I think last week it was important factor you don't -- chose this split or curveball for strikes as frequently as he has in the past and as a result because he does alleviate miles an hour but locate very well. Aren't you became a little -- but they want this pitcher last night. Are going to get a good fastball intrigue -- or -- what they are they can eliminate the curveball and split and go to addressed fastball which would stay fit -- not that he's been so good force except for really equipped with two outings in Baltimore -- to came in looked McMahon out of last like in -- the eighth inning when we're up by Iran. Unfortunately in -- those situations that didn't work out -- but. I think he's been such a key part foursome will be gold or that there's four Orbitz I'm.

Speaking of key pitchers Bartolo Colon has been has been a bit of a surprise. At least to me had probably not you just give us a sense of what you saw from Bartolo in spring training. And how that's different if at all from what you see right now.

You know I think that was surprising to us as well you first ordered and where he started -- program. The long toss the intensity with the velocity -- the Braves -- the arm strength that he showed right from day one. -- much greater than we anticipated our reports. What interest and what balls that he was pitching 8587 miles an hour which still in the wintertime guys you know protect it better like Bartolo they're going to take those opportunities to keep -- they're not going to push it too hard. But failed what he got built up towards gains and start the flash low nineties and spring training it was always encouraging sign but. But we don't like you know this is definitely going to be somewhat outpost. While it continues on as knowledgeable just then the last two outings you start the touched 9596. I used it not been approached about a lot speak with. The fact that they can reach back into effect a Aussie shows he's healthy I think he comes into a seven you know one he -- he's got an opportunity the people Walters. I think he's in a group of players that are not only welcomed in the open arms but dirty goes back the regular professional baseball Manny Ramirez in the early ninety's back -- with the Indians. I -- not -- level where. And the comfort level what is. -- in the game calling and eight being on the same page I think he's over the place and it continues to brought us all starts.

You you just referenced the young Bartolo Colon in -- and in my mind zeile as the guy. Throwing 9697 -- is that he's not going to -- at that level. Is that another way of saying that he has become a different pitcher in the last three or four years or or since he won the cy young.

Well that you -- incorporate -- fastball with much more effectiveness and men on a consistent basis -- There's just a lot of -- sort of it'll let their two strikes. And because his slider on -- given occasion might not be the type that he can throw underneath this morning on the left and that is back for. Individual attention what basically at the concept of electric -- that -- back over the inside corner. I you know he's -- a number of strikeouts already in the three games she's -- for -- but. It's approaches the -- over the past where four years. But more importantly he goes out and it gives us. You know that you you get used via the Internet in the court you know about the mound presence of someone's completely relaxed confident. And the game has been very much in control what was the thought about.

Final baseball question before we get to the -- mentoring partnership one of the great early season story's for your team. Has been on the spot starts of Justin Masterson he's coming up to make another one for you here tonight -- been so successful of the Major League level. And at times not so much so with a minor league level.

That's a great question because a lot of times a look at good track record and and it's. You know -- our culture particularly like just an Alou should know a ground ball pitcher -- the defense has sorts an impact on the outcome of the ball game and you know this is not to take anything away -- guys and -- minor league spoke when anytime that you can totally open has Dustin Pedroia Mike Lowell avenue west heroes with the gold glove candidates here in and year out. That's going to make it a ground ball that you look that much better and because. I think he doesn't waste any time you'll watch -- you know if the ball well throws strikes he's not afraid to pitch to contact. When -- got those kind of guys behind you it allows him to gain confidence and nobody can throw strikes and contributed to make people swing the bat. I think he also has an unflappable. Attitude or or make up that he has not been in law between games he's walked in the -- walking an opportunity to say that again you're right.

Marca a march of viral isn't isn't named to baseball fans know. And it's actually his younger brother right thing David -- who got you involved in the mass mentoring partnership tell us what that's all about.

Well who is. What what this provides the service announcement during -- you know provides an opportunity for for you to connect with someone -- an adult. Let's face and I I'd look at my relationship potential -- was a metrics and -- on a professional level. And because of -- connection to say that I had to meet this like and natural high. I think we can all point to someone whose benefit of probably benefited from someone goes down for us it on professional personal level. And that they would use of the state of Massachusetts what what has not been that he paired all four varied egos of some. Leadership and guidance is an opportunity for people who get involved to provide that we'll put you. I think this unit they're cute important -- hours. Not only just you to the global. Of course some of you. But I think anyone who has time has some sources that they contribute to get involved. There isn't a great way and what the Red Sox abundant in the upper announcement during -- separate -- the visibility and threw his partners with the channel and others to come out and get involved. I just like it was a great events at tomorrow's going to be -- sunlight we've got to breakfast in an option in the morning. -- you don't myself. Joe Madden Tom parents nuts and all of them involve that just the -- for -- to provide some. Opportunities of people either contribute their -- or to sign up and get involved directly hands on what kids who do need it so. Of the 300 except the adventures Booker. Already involved in the program and their nineties you'll have an opportunity could take in tomorrow night's game against Tampa great. Sort of be a great day at -- but I think most importantly -- as the other vehicle by Matt smarter.

That you just nailed it John do you think about the ambitious project that mass mentoring is. Serves a 130 programs that represent 20000 mentoring relationships and in your part of that I think I think it's important just put a difference tonight -- you said it. A march a -- was your professional mentor. A lot of people think of of an older person in the younger person but there are many faces of mentoring right.

Whether they're clearly are because you know what are we find ourselves involved than an -- Again I'll go back to the role all of all of my involvement not just -- not -- but as a coach. I think mentoring is culture and anytime that you can provide Brothers you can give something that you experience that may help them. -- it step whistle blowing and you know that you're doing something worthwhile. To either help a young person make the right decisions. Provide them opportunities or experts is that they might not have gotten otherwise either because. Same situation financial situation what whatever that might be. I think as you get involved again there are some gratification. -- and so and so what was your opponent yet from providing not not to mention the relationship you build without individual parts.

John mention -- of the live auction will be going on at Fenway tomorrow just give me an idea of some of the unique items you auction this off last year you're going to do it again this year. It is a one hour. Pitching lesson we view and two young men. Undertook this with you last year in the bullpen at Fenway Park. And and somebody's going to get an opportunity to bid on and not on a chance. For maybe their son or daughter nephew or whatever to get a pitching lesson from the pitching coach of the Boston Red Sox.

You know what has turned out to be on time because it was too young guys that. You know -- had played in their respective leagues from the -- that they they came from our end. Not having that. Accessible you know through their own personal how's this was an opportunity to provide this will be auctioned. It became a Spirit -- auction item that there was some veteran go back and forth little ball good natured departed. -- and because the one guy one out of the other would provided another opportunity -- the second to join so it was a one hour sunlight out the bullpen. And walk through some of the things so we want to let the guys that are gutsy step -- suck out so. Not only was it a chance to get and Ronald young person but I think also provided funds for the servicemen but not a mystery provide throughout the states so. It was a win win situation. I and I think the two pitchers that -- I walked away with something that we don't hold -- of their lives.

And supposedly according to very reliable sources those kids walked away exhausted after you worked them out -- What we'll we'll look at a program that you have them on.

Actually what would -- will walk through with a let them grow would you know look at their deliveries. Then he had them go through some -- understanding balance point directions followed through. We talked about -- showed different types of coaches so when you've got. A ratio one to two more being there and complete our they're going to get -- repetition and -- Saturday afternoon it was a it was a good day had by all.

While the the event is taking place tomorrow at Fenway other Red Sox are very involved in the Red Sox mentoring challenge if you like to learn more about that. Go to Red Sox dot com slash mentors. Or you go to mass mentors dot org for more information as well. John we always appreciate time and enjoy talking baseball with your best of luck tonight.

Yeah as well we've got to use homestand coming up -- starting with the team that -- Jason again and a half bouts and this should be an exciting time of the Mets and at the outset here. We still -- about -- look forward to those you environment you have a smooth offense their boss and create for us.

Thanks John John thank you. I don't take care that is Jon Farrell's the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox