06-26-08 Theo Epstein, Red Sox GM

on here he's in Maine Larry -- and -- guess we're going to talk to a guy we haven't talked in a long time always enjoyed speaking with them -- baseball and other things Theo Epstein the general manager of the Red -- what's going on -- say hello to -- Ridley total feel yeah. These how many two and a decent job so far I mean personal approach it albeit.

The odds say I played for him. I'd probably say you know second or third round eyes INS someone else takes -- not disappoint them but that's okay he's sleeper to follow but. I do want to ask you speed of the draft when -- as we haven't -- you since. You selected. -- Kelly in the first round. He has. Drawn interest from University of Tennessee very talented athlete. Plays two positions in baseball plays -- sports -- little nervous about that pick me without a bit of a gamble for you were you afraid he was going to go up Tennessee.

Their actions now in the draft -- if you don't mind if they -- is that named spot next year. The draft so I don't agree after lap on they will match against. -- Guys that it and it is I went out there. -- And you know he's -- out shortstop we like more pitcher can really advance that the pitchers as in which those tremendous deal. Manipulate the ball.

I was just going to ask you that now he obviously as a first rounder. You think he's more advanced to the pitcher do you think he could have been a first rounder legitimately as a shortstop.

I think there were teams that are so yeah I think we we Adam we like in the short that we just you hire as a pitcher but it it it's the -- Pitchers athletic enough if the -- Is tremendous Hewitt looked for a lot. That means that and good body older kids -- make adjustments. Well the more up one --

Fiona are -- at the big club of course the Sox going on another long tuna on game road trip the third one they've had and what the last 678 weeks and have you seen anything like this -- usually is at the -- team go on the road. Three times through different separate times a ten road games and one season while ago we talked in the clubhouse it's pretty unusual to those guys.

Yet in a little bit different -- schedule this year's. Starting right beginning the year with the management that company out of on the way -- and that there have been a lot of potential. Excuses this year and I got that mean anyone it is about the business like any one game of baseball. And as -- you go into. Game it's certainly overcome a lot of on the way those years they've gone -- plan this -- a lot of crucial injuries key players. But this team is -- out there at the line that. What about the -- on it is like fashion -- it.

You do have depth at the Major League level we know that because just on first place. After a lot of injuries in that cold flu epidemic that seemed like something from the seventeenth century but. You also have debt that the minor league level something that you talked about when you first took the job. You know Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden and Lars Anders -- only spoke. How long did it take you as a general manager to feel comfortable with not just the talent to that you have in the minor leagues. But with your scouting systems and you're saying yes now I'm comfortable with the way we're evaluating. These players I think we have a system in place on the that it.

Well I think about three years in 3 loses the first -- you know manager we. Outlook on that draft and others in 4 era but wasn't really and so when we at created. System that we that we really really believe it back you know or we oh we had David that is -- and directors of the Tigers. We think there are people still look at each other debating what it was yours that -- looking for players an idiot that. You get the get the board in the right -- heart you don't agree on at least four players. That's -- five -- grounded out right. Title if you in the Padres organization is staffed scouting director. We had our systems in place of the typical outing -- medical standpoint that we find. Those years -- a -- five or erotic grow it it -- We knew what are you read that are so the draft. We we wrote to work up or that you wrote in act on the impact. Because it's not arms on there's been ability butler hired him. Much of a player like bowed out to go to -- And it is the most important thing we asked the -- we there used to so he really. Really started like me it felt like we you'll Purdue which cut their system around to.

Outfielder David Ortiz has been -- the last 26 days yesterday took 25 light soft or. On dry swings what are you want to call it not too aggressive off of the tee yesterday. At Fenway. Word do you see him right now and are you satisfied and are you encouraged with where he's at right now -- his progress seems like the big -- was little discouraged yesterday when we talk with them but. We understand that because you know the competitive nature of the audience.

Yeah yeah of art this one's gone -- the doctors and go to -- from the get go once we got doctors examined and they are really happen. This that issue the sheet that the exit and then you'll now Haitian. That but there's -- good chance that he'd be pain free pretty soon we gain entry. He healed well the return well. I'm it will so I was skeptical but so are in the right here -- optimistic though will continue to be patient. Richard David does two did you and timetables I'm not -- You know he managed to lead yesterday they do you know that should be about right we -- low. The tables there.

Now one guy who's not coming back this season as Curt Schilling he's come on the station. And it's announced wolf we Percy announced that he's going to have surgery and he talked about the successful surgery that he had in. Basically speculating on on what his career options might be as he goes and rehab trail this is this is a complicated thing. I don't understand it -- one side -- records doctors that one thing you guys had a statement saying something else. Any any regrets about how that was handled between the two doctors your side. For lack of a better word in his side.

All -- locker that you know I'm not that your career is over a disputed that credible career -- All in reared in medical impact years. -- look back -- that they on the off. For -- he'd be great for others on. -- rest of the way we can't I think conservative approach is always right -- pitcher of this stage of the doctor thing. And no I like this radio talk right -- has picked up at the media Artest understand those two sides and our doc which are doctors -- that much is this is the most appropriate thing in the world for doctors to be. But certainly that given given all information in hindsight no regrets but. Was the best. Yet there -- on the -- working on it doesn't work for all pitchers these types of injuries. You know we tried it -- lot stronger in you know on in the actors that.

It just declared you guys did give him a physical before you side into the new contract.

Yet yet oh -- really -- strong the omni but not in. Or no we don't know though in the -- ramp up the.

You said you believe he's had a Hall of Fame career why.

Idea that -- you know I know that there's -- standards and right now that we use closed up on the front and pitched. That is -- impact. Very different franchise posters on the game on me that except for the gap.

at the mid season point right now 81 games in how do you assess this ball -- pluses minuses what do you think so far does right now still a game lead. In the ill east right now with a lot of things have happened to this book club injuries a lot of different things that about what you think so far with the club.

Big big picture it is we have to -- A -- in ninety games out thing to break away so far -- organization's goal. -- stable position and it. -- our future -- to beat this level form so why don't expect issue going forward. You'll -- the maybe not huge performance of the in the we're still lead the league -- sent back in. That carried out as -- or there -- immediate dated back. We have only be better off on its last rotation has been very. Certainly run it -- indeed look at the all it is it is these. The -- are Asians all there's that topic. Haven't it is monotonous certainly. We create masters performance which is not a standard or anybody opportunity there Delcarmen. World it is the rule double that's pretty well it all well -- so now. He -- outfield there's you know all along we have to be pretty happy that.

Oh dale long the be extremely and the music and the division. The beast of -- division -- change quickly you know they are standing there and we did have a tough road trip looked up in.

We know we always appreciate you taking the time and you know you can stop by here anytime we love talking baseball with the and music looking -- that hot stove cool music. In August -- buddy guy.

A lot of press conference and about ten days to announce -- hit -- tickets but via buddy guy and another picked up you know other.

Oscar I think Joe Cannon okay you to that's the last in general manager of the Red Sox I was doing talk with him