07-02-08 Terry Francona, Sox Manager

I'm joining us now on the eight TNT hotline as the manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona Terry is brought to you by -- insurance. In interest systems doctor Robert Leonard at 1800 get hair and two you know I've tried to mix that around a try to put that get hair part. And that in the beginning so you wouldn't focus on that still wouldn't go right into you.

Thank you yeah I didn't LI know it didn't help the thinking about it to think about it here. No actually not since 1996 what's -- got support -- okay. I don't know wiggle out of style and it surely but --

I had a guy a guy who's the man it's made that style possible Michael Michael Jordan went bald guys around America -- thank you so much.

We know -- it was -- actually -- when he played for a reason to tell me to -- that often looked stupid and maybe try to -- no -- bobbled sultan Al but it just it's maybe you will try to.

Let's say hello I'm Mike -- details on vacation.

Try to Monica --

Argument -- what do you don't you're in -- in Tampa and -- you seem so strange rusty say the first place. Tampa rays in the first place Tampa race but the of the team and has the best record in baseball in Tampa. You've seen them up close there's no doubt that. We're a long way from the Tampa. Well we saw in 2004 when you first started here right.

Yes and a payroll but they're very deserving of -- war they are they. They have shored up their deep offense they have built their bullpen. They have solved two sometimes spectacular starting pitching which we would just the last two nights that doesn't mean we've both we both -- we can be looked. But they haven't done a very good job and go to great situation. There're there are starting to build up steam there they're so confident about themselves to play overtime to dip into a third place it's our job economy the cradle Bowden not legitimately good good employees but. It'll depression Kazmir tonight we got Daisuke it should be a great game good but they've got a great job there's no getting around that.

before the series started that the umpires come do you invite today go to Joe Madden and say we're warning you before the series even began the mean I I didn't. I didn't see that written anywhere how how did that work.

No it really I didn't know how they would react to this. And everybody does the different from home more veteran -- handled differently sometimes they're told the -- things but. But they chose not to ability playing in -- get a pretty obvious to destroy our bullpen to describe what baseball sort of have not -- an issue.

Terry last couple nights in Tampa than the final game in Houston to four and one runs in those three games. Baseball scenes and I'm hitting stamp went pretty individual sport to me. But can a team get as a coal into -- hitting slump as a team or is that a bunch of individual guys that are maybe not hit the ball that we all want to right now.

I think it sometimes ties together I mean don't we do it is not just -- that matter read I think it's. Production -- runs. Mean Pedroia got about as hard as you could get the last couple weeks but the same time he got hot. Paul Byrd really wasn't Vietnam -- slots first time all year without really happen and -- Maybe lol you guys like that -- hit -- the second and -- liked it could have bet all credit to our first to -- runner -- instead -- two. We have an out stillborn. Sometimes those things tied together all of a sudden you get a line drive that put on the back slighted into betting -- not a fact why did an inning of extra little things. Both were injured not knock in the club brought the ball a little things become big thing.

You know it's you know the big story in Tampa is the emergence of the raise the big story -- in all week has been Manny Ramirez. The incident with Jack McCormick first of all let me ask you did you witness this incident.

I I support that there -- but I will bear -- It is. I gonna speak a little bit more general term. News is how we choose to deal with things wasn't good things happen and our clubhouse. Vick get out to the media. Tell me that doesn't make it. -- that we should be treated differently or make the punishment more severe when somebody does something wrong and we try to handle it. And we always handled internally that we will continue to do that. We will not change that discipline. Because -- have leaked to the media picked out real horrible mistake on on my part. We've always tried to handle things with respect regardless of other people -- not -- ever will continue to do that.

Well all let me ask you this. Win win you know and Manny had their instant. I was actually came on the radio and said I didn't think it was a big deal because it's too athletes you around each other a 162 games. Wade too much time spent together competitive people you gotta have some dust ups and short. But in this case. Would you say it in speaking generally now what the specific guys is it normal in your opinion for an athlete. To have. And incidents with someone who -- aptly but it is that as a club executive.

Well again my underestimated speaking in generalities and and them but I don't you're talking about specific yeah. That a little difficult this year but we. We don't control and sometimes things -- and actually very strongly oh we we also handle them but we Tuesday -- that literally right. A -- a lot more specific got to feel about it everybody's entitled to their opinion. And sometimes things don't -- supposed visual -- and we try to like value like we take -- serious I don't understand that we rule would do.

Okay well let me ask you this Tito went something like this happens. Is there. What is what is the process is it you know and Theo getting together does that go to to the ownership level -- John Henry. Are the players coming as it is that Jason Varitek and some of the guys you respect and the team. How to decisions. How decisions come to be I mean what what what.

Whatever probably needs to -- in the -- there's there's probably. If if something happens want today are we need to make a decision every day. There's probably a lot of different regions or a lot of different people you can forward the -- don't want -- to about sometimes we need to talk to players certainly had talked appeal but a lot of things. Sometimes actually ownership -- all the things that's just the way it goes so well in answer to people. Try to do right and again because we feel like we feel and then I'd do I'd -- but I do feel a meat will be handled internally does -- feel. Don't think that that actually makes those molds its purpose spineless little -- I don't agree with that. We can't ride a handful when I want that we handle and -- you know not going to voted for the better because I'd choose not to.

And Terry you've talked about that a lot here in Boston trying to keep things in the clubhouse I've heard boomer Loney Curt Schilling in the last 24 hour talk about baseball things should stay. In the baseball clubhouse as the manager. Can you take -- your feelings when a story. That happens in clubhouse gets out and how it gets out I have no idea. But is at a frustration point for you when when something leaks out the you'd like to keep it in that Red Sox clubhouse.

Yeah actually given up that agreement -- did just that doesn't mean that something that wrong. Good teams to handle those types of things. And you know we were you you thought people make mistakes but I you have a mistake and move forward is important now. Our players appear in Houston. Our play -- what was the way things get out sometimes is uncontrollable and up the players' fault but it a lot of people that almost like -- workable policy to run the people that's just the way ghost that that they an agent Orange Bowl. We deal with that it doesn't -- make what happen right. But it just means that you know you've we may have to deal took. A little differently because of a lot of information about their not all that's correct. Sometimes people care -- correct.

You said you'd choose that handle this internally we have to respect that we can keep. After your question but I think we're going to get that response from -- so I respect that but let me ask you since you think it it is best to handle it internally. And you gonna do it that way that you believe. That the situation is handled in -- able to move on or is that something you're gonna have you monitor for the rest of the season.

Michael everything that ever happened here. Noon tomorrow at turtle is handled that will be continue to be monitored. Again because of our field body being internal doesn't mean you'll be handled and again I don't expect -- understand. Because of -- opponent. But you know you and you don't we all know that things that'll get power fuel but things about respecting people respectively game. We go we care about a lot.

Well let's talk about the game last night. In addition Giricek was brought up and and a pinch hitting situation Varitek has really been struggling here why what why did you choose to go to go with Ameritech there.

We had a situation where we we have are not aware of catchy lead off. And we know they're going to if they if we like -- go up they're not going to make a pitching change for one hitter if we stand. Where if we can. I'm -- we spend PCR we have a chance to let. Baird takes -- hit from the right side. We're down -- on the we thought that was our best chances without burning at three all three players if Casey doesn't give which I didn't think they'd let them. Look at what -- little run. Then put Casey in the game as quick coming to build toward particular catcher we're out of position players which could have a good thing in there until the seventh -- But because little one run game we're -- had a chance it. -- we we know we're going to burn employers won't want to detected from the right side demand a border very good what double don't think it.

Terry this stat jumped out of me this morning three in fourteen the Red Sox this year playing indoors and I know that. You guys a lot of numbers you look at you very much breakdown the game at a very strong level. That now is that an anomaly three -- fourteen endorsers there really something differently it's happening when you're playing inside a ballpark rather a plane outside somewhere.

No I I mean the numbers are not very good I don't think there's a reason that the whole world war and doors are built reflect on a you to think. You know winning the indoor stadium -- perfect reward -- faster I don't believe got -- more or outfield we guys we have guys pick a lot of ground. We're just didn't beat by teams and outplayed us because I don't think there's a big other no -- we we actually almost got a break your level the ball it. The cal walker. Because -- endorse the inaugural adult pixel.

Makes you love indoor stadium when a ball is in the catwalk as you set up and actually it actually worked in your favor but there's. That shouldn't be happening in May may happening in the Major League --

And it it would almost want to talk about -- it would Award but tribunal -- there's nothing worse -- have a game. All heard of because move. Open people turned out walk them that's just. You know you want to get rewarded to play in the game right way and sometimes you don't -- be very frustrating not a little bit about forums and reward.

They're talking about a new stadium down there so maybe maybe in a couple of years this won't even be an issue.

Yeah I think -- wrapped in their progression in all the way to play and it certainly going to help them. Build up somebody up interest the first period because they're they're starting to really generate some interest honored him that that's good for baseball it's not been good for the -- what do they -- do for baseball.

Are you mention we talked about the offense and and you said after the game some time to wait for a three run homer and a guy like David Ortiz boy he provides that I thought positive news today that he takes sixty swings maybe a day ahead of schedule. With coach maggot in yesterday is there any timetable on David is there any specific date a month that the you might get him back in the middle your lineup.

Hard -- sometime after the all star game as -- Realistic it'll wear them. You know how many at bats together and the deal what level how do you respond to what do -- more aggressive they're still completely got to -- by the good -- well. He handled everything. They didn't do a good job but we need to you don't get he's still little things ahead of him to be deplorable Russia wouldn't let him back. I felt real good yesterday now was great news because when he gets hungrier for more and we have to almost -- down and got a great -- But we still have a ways to go here we got to give him Millwood we're going to have a couple weeks for sure.

I'm not looking going to make to make an excuse for your team. Well let me ask you if your team is higher.

Arnold model -- I think every team in baseball. I mean you get you get beat up but that's just awaited game is the teams that handle that all the people who survived that that's all part of it is.

So that they the multiple ten game trip -- think this is your third. Ten game trip of the first half which is a lot is not having an effect on on your team right now.

We've made Michael I didn't play in the below you have a -- news is more important and been out of affectionately I -- certainly. -- Did the normal -- want to hear that it'll work tired -- we we get treated real well tonight we're gonna give me your probable for more that would get by game day game week it'll take it it'll give us. It was only a little bit but how you handle that -- What's important and that's what we always talk about real pocket bought the were tired we talked -- okay how we going to handle being tired. Because it's a lot easier to retire one -- one and regardless Award.

Terry you've got a couple young pitchers who've pitched well this year Justin Masterson with the big club right now on the Clay Buchholz who. Seemingly found something their AAA and you talked with the -- you talk to scouts how is his progress gone for Clay Buchholz and is he a guy that. Could join this Red Sox rotation here pretty soon.

What we're not what rocket about who's going to pitch if if you want and we would do that. But he's doing a lot better we kind of set him back with the big picture thing in mind. And if you -- look pretty good job. Still a little inconsistent live arm angles sometimes it was fastball but it culminated got a good job two weeks we have -- fastball. We know we can go to that changeup and a breaking ball we want him to command that fastball because ultimately that's what's going to make liberal special. Just because his other prisoners are still good people move though that fastball and and what he meant. -- an ability to whacked around he's really going to be somebody's -- good job that Ortiz he's actually doing a good job is blessed -- have been real froehlich urgent.

You mentioned the all star break and in you're going to have the job of of managing this American League all star team -- today Joe Madden Nadal joke about. Coming to find you at some point in Tampa and recruiting our pitching some his pitchers to make the all star roster. Does that happen did you managers come to -- Terry send an email sent a text messages say hey when your fill up the sale roster don't forget about. This guy did they lobby for the role players of the all star game.

Well to look for Rick could of found me at ten after ten near the ballpark look -- You know it's it's just it bend it a little difficult to control obligation to be prepared. We're certainly American called great talking to some managers. But in they have that we can't do anything until we get them return just probably am voting in the player voting. And how that ends up. That would going to be determined you know every team has to be. That's represented. At a certain number of pitchers and it gets a little bit difficult to actually get gunfire while you're not going to lead at 240 or 32 best -- that's just not a way to set up. I like the NCAA basketball tournament about a thing it's a bad system. It's just the way it was set up. Is there -- going to be guys left popular burglary and and that's unfortunate that split the.

Speaking of the NCAA tournament you don't care as long as -- as Arizona's in there. I don't I don't care about the other teams come.

Exactly but it but it is it is difficult weighted system itself but again but trashing the Bristol but. People we you have to realize that's what employees and because the that there are going to be some guys football.

Now it's time for Red Sox second -- brought to you by -- on a world that play and you don't have much to take against you what do. What a -- at the subject of today's Red Sox second guess.

Pull it by it applies if I had to. The fire up again but that's not going to be right.

Price is right going to get a martz is right if you get Manny Ramirez today's question counsel Patricia ward from active pitchers and says. I was disappointed in the handling of the latest incident involving Manny Ramirez I don't think that stating it will be handled internally is sufficient. I would've rather seen at a minimum a comment stating that the organization does not tolerate a player putting his hands on employees of that club. Why is -- not a stronger public stand on incidents like.

Again Michael the government come back and look for much stable but earlier -- how we can appeal. About things that happened can actually be very strong. There's a law what they -- to want to make it -- a lot of it is little thing that happened in our ball club. When it becomes public. That doesn't make it worse or better in -- doesn't become public that doesn't make it different Hannibal -- stating that correctly yeah.

Short so and so in other words just just because we found out about it. Does it mean for you that you while we need to do something different because now the public knows about.

Exactly that would be in my them. Not very upstanding we handled things how we feel appropriate if the explanation to the public isn't satisfactory. That -- but that's just the way ideal product and I've done I don't recall ever change -- have a responsibility to this ballclub and I always do that. Now -- have a responsibility that's to a lot of different things that we handle and that's that's basically -- nobody. And if people can't handle. My answer. I feel like I'm actually not going to apologize sport I I hope that. Old Bob Hope is that we have ourselves a standing every day -- we don't we handled.

So if you don't come out and say. The Red Sox don't support this it doesn't mean you also condone.

And we we would never condone anything that but don't give up what well I guess you know we want -- to say. --

Yeah I was gonna say -- I think what what most people want it should come out and save but on the other hand. Your point is give us the benefit of the doubt we're handling it internally.

I get I don't know that people have to give -- the benefit of the doubt got probably for -- judge I don't I don't live belittle myself. Air and -- There's probably no more more critical well if you opened the board but I I need you don't have to look at myself but I know I care about people want to know hard care about the game so honestly does that.

You know thanks a lot -- for being selected Patricia ward has won a mid week hotel stay at Mohegan Sun Mohegan Mohegan Sun. The world. So I got a lot tonight and good luck in New York. Thanks a lot thanks -- I'm Terry Francona has brought to you by 183. When more bars in more places switch to the wireless network but the best global coverage eighteenth he. Your world delivered