Michael Felger returns to WEEI

Everybody -- commended dale and Holley featuring neither dale nor holly. Was taken over. Manchester pitcher cat radio here Mike fell order. Joining you back on 850 WEEI. And who should they -- me with. Jimmy although all flippant people on I was great at John Hagerty is an up and coming stars get good value iced it at a high ceiling I understand that because. I'm the guy that -- that ceiling. I I guess I'm really gonna -- you with a guy attempts of doubts I don't go -- after the show how I spent three years in Siberia. Three years toiling at the Manchester Fisher cats all I did was develop -- this very station a pipeline Brock Bradford. Joe Hagerty. Joe Vargas. Probability. That. Sorry can't take profit. All I did was develop talent for the station I get my first day back and they get me. A Fisher cats. Wait out. Great talent go public won't thanks right. It's great to be back til Hagerty of the Boston metro covers the Red Sox on a daily basis I'm Mike felt I was last on the station about three years ago I left down the -- they told meals in about fourteen months they'll be. Almost made it three years automated at third year but. I had enough this Iberia. -- still had to admit there are here up until I -- savaged and now as he came back from Siberia actually doing yourself Q -- important things right now people out there is that you can't seeming. I look gorgeous and on this and is devastating. Devastating to and its I was intimidated when elected to the studio sun should immediately my my pale Irish -- was quivering in fear you'll find I do one thing while only one thing. And that's Stan. There's just phenomenal known to -- like I can do it and out of it does it feel to be back in the big leagues back in the Major League comeback and Asia have played a little bit. A little bit Jimmy Stewart partisanship you know you'll -- And very short ordered him and a special needs talk show host no one's name right. I've already forgotten everybody's name back there and -- yours you want to -- out here to help you if you need some water he needs something I'm happy to help you three years let producer never not once my producer. On the dial never once offered a glass of water and -- uttered the words -- just -- now -- to enhance the Michael about her experience the axis. -- Real good its glory -- it's like we're saying up there it's like when you break up with a -- and that's supposed to be with and then the world as your oyster for like weeks afterwards in the possibilities are endless. I mean anything is possible for you right now might how does that feel. The world is an oyster. What are the problems with paying down the dial in billions Iberia. It was really driven home to meet this weekend because it was two weeks ago. Two weeks ago Joe Hagerty you're on the show where you now we're Bible Belt comes on -- my program I could have been it would admitted difference what's the depth today. -- And I guess maybe Bob felt emboldened that he had already gotten it out there relatives became an -- I'd like we'll have already said this this is already out no Bob. No one could hear you so all that's a frustration like we -- that story two weeks ago talked about it did right.

And you even talked about it on TV here remember to you throw it out there on Comcast you know you that the Comcast sports. Ports that Mohegan Sun tonight threw it out.

So I'll you know it doesn't happen here it doesn't happen so that's sort of the point but it did drive it home and -- story obviously on Friday that they find him a hundred constant dollars. He purposely kept the bat on his shoulder that second part we'll talk about the first part joke. Impossible.

Now we we were just talking about -- as soon as I heard that I said to myself there is no -- in a way that he was fine six figures. And of the players association -- didn't appeal it. We didn't make a huge stink about it immediately as soon as it happened I mean I think any fine over I think 2000 dollars. The players the players association can come in and make an appeal on and they would for something like that something and that six figuring sort immediately didn't pass the smell test -- And that's when I started wondering like where within the -- out of this come from because it's.

Don't kind of a -- far fetched the reason I thought it was plausible. Is that couple weeks before that Peter Gammons we talked or used to armed. Said that when the reason they got the fine through what matters because Scott -- that it was really a Boris and the Sox were to Boras first and said. -- this what we're going to do it got to punish him you've got to get him to accept this right so we don't have a big storm. With the players association and Boris did to sell I felt with that intermediary it was possible habits are fine but anyone who knows -- baseball players applied. Just versus football for example I mean it's always shows up late for camp. Obviously for the pitchers have find something like 6000 dollars a day in and of -- there are somewhat real money. In baseball and backs find is like 500 boxes up in the lines are ridiculous because of that player's association. So if the players -- going to go to bat for Shawn Chacon right basically bottles is general manager to the ground is about -- choke his brains out right if they're going to -- him an appeal that. Manny get hit for a 100000 keep getting now.

And it doesn't matter Scott Boras gets involved or if you know mother Teresa gets involved or if you know Kennesaw mountain Landis gets out woken up from the dead and comes up against well it doesn't matter what baseball named. Intervened here at the you would never see a six figure amount like that defined to a player. And the players association would not rule for anybody Scott -- are.

Anybody saw once again Manny Ramirez coaches being the number one news item on this team might help out way before we got to spring training I heard he was that the API in Arizona. I said all right get ready to go monster year from that yeah it's a monster but it's been pretty good. I just opened up point four could be so interesting to watch Manny. With the contract hanging over is how does this is all about and I think the Red Sox -- such a great position with him. And they will continue to be as long as the conditions are what they are right now. Manny is playing for the Red Sox. On their terms absolute worst time ever. -- no more pathetic mister Manny Ramirez over the weekend that fly ball on Friday night in Anaheim pathetic. -- the act out whether he meant to send a message back to the Sox or not in New York pathetic. He does individually that that it things. But I think I just match at two DNC as they were getting off. Since that atrocious at at a New York since the infamous -- that we can't take that at all official was versus Mo Rivera. He's fifteen of 313. Fingers seven extra base hits he. Flat out won two games against Minnesota -- a two run homer to tie it at one and had to walk off hit and the other. And I think that. Many having to play for his next contract -- Jerry thinks that -- wants to opt out what he's paying for his next paycheck -- paycheck. Is this such a great spot and I think. Because of that many have to come back he can't help for two weeks I -- couple years ago after the incident with McCormick in the line however much it is he goes away for a couple weeks might a.

All the 2006 -- decides it take out the last 45 weeks of the seasons there and try -- something along those lines I agree with Hewitt and many MO has always ban. When a -- storm as you call it comes up with him a brushfire is Theo Epstein cause like I like he has -- in the bookstore that's. When something like that happens. He always comes back and answers with the with the -- he comes back and he goes on -- heading -- and he shows you exactly why -- this I think -- more -- I -- more likely -- that -- at times in the -- he's just -- but -- but when he comes back like say like the -- the trade -- thing where they thought it was going to go and need to send them it's just Manny being -- a -- you know them that they hit that -- when the game form and went -- forward and and had a hot streak after that he's always -- a guy that will go out and prove his value after he has an incident like that. And kind of shows the team why he's making the money that he is but I don't know I shortly that's the case I think it is but this year I think is different I think the numbers if you look at them down across the board. I mean I'm just pulling up slugging percentage he's got the 23 best slugging slugging percentage in Major League Baseball right now he's up in. I teens to low twenties and oh yes all these numbers Kevin Youkilis as significantly higher slugging percentage and then Manny Ramirez that's right.

So you by the end of the year Youkilis is our numbers are going to be answered the man I'm not sure because in historically. Talk historically drops out but Mike Joe had a bunch of runs right out of the second half and you could make the argument that they might followed a memorial bat -- that you -- anywhere near manly our numbers by the year had a good week he's got a good -- he's not a power threats -- at this point is not about at this point is about -- Ramirez and the season he's having you -- is that much higher than -- percent that's the right now. But the fact that he did it over the course of the first half of the season. When Manny is making twenty -- is making three and -- should be motivated to put the best numbers ever so -- tell you but my point is that he's not the player he was in 20052004. He's coming down analyze these different categories that the point I'm making. And the other interesting thing is a lot of people saying you know you twenty dollars this year it's 1 year I am going to next year. You know you you gives you buys you a year ago find out what you want to do with -- on whatever. The thing is. Mike the stop is going to happen again next year so what if the people the option to have the same rob rob and John Henry collateral damage -- another ranked. You know but I'm willing to willing to throw Jack McCormick under the bus like you laugh and I know you -- throw people Willy -- on the railroad track doesn't really matter but. I just think you -- a lot issues and.

Numbers aren't what they work he's not to be worth twenty million you know what's so -- John Henry's bottom line he's still going to have a boat he still. Plenty set financially even after the divorce is fine I don't care -- is a fourteen million dollar player has been paid twenty. Not my issue is no salary cap a fine item is not going to be worth exactly twenty million right.

But what you would you argue that he's worth more the Red Sox and would beat anybody else just because the time that he's been here. That I think other -- result -- I think other teams are going to look at him and against say this guy's going to be 37 next year this guy is almost all the way to being a DH that. Puts down your value so much across the board and he's obviously not the hitter that he was 45 years ago he's not a twenty million dollar a year players or gambling site that is what I'm saying is. That if they enact the option you can you're going to run the same issues you're having this year with him where I think he's almost become a distraction for the team even though you may not think so because of all this crap that's happened what is just that you run into again I feel bad -- McCourt buys you -- going to. With Kevin Youkilis he's got the issue Jack McCormick he's insult the guy that signs paychecks and John Henry he's squabbling about his contract when he should be focusing on winning baseball games. And and improving his slugging percentage the point where it's maybe in the top ten and in the meantime the Red Sox -- the third best record in the American League right again and they just got swept by the Angels and -- they're playing god awful baseball on the road and that the Tampa bay rays are in first place Mike it's not -- sunshine puppies and roses and Red Sox land.

I'm Italian ice we -- this argument before I said Manny was far more likely have a bigger this year than David Ortiz I still feel that way the money hanging over his head Jody had done in the first half that -- point Mike. It hasn't had a month a year and everybody thought it was going to happen. Monster but it's good. When you compare his numbers to what they've bent over the course with -- at -- that's -- that -- because he's like thirty the next 36 -- I don't when he was at 28 -- getting Payton is at 36 year old like -- twenty year old course you can cycle that -- all the molecular and hold -- that like -- my security -- all -- for the most part they're overpaid but wouldn't say it's a -- million and it doesn't matter what you can go out and get something -- younger and is going to be able to replace -- all right. Mark Teixeira an extra man he's gone I'm fine no problem. But this organization has a problem with middle of the order how it's not what they do they've got great young arms. They've got some good young players around the field and center field at second short obviously. How the quarter powered guys they don't in the organization -- lesbians is Lars Anderson the guy army guys are twenty he's barely out of diapers going to be a few years rightly -- okay so that the organization needs. Power going for right middle the order this is why they traded for Willie Mo Pena few years ago because Davis stunning lack of all its not -- who is it. It's not -- the stoking this government on -- templates I don't apologize that would.

that's that it wasn't a point -- I said Mike the only reason I said that is to illustrate the kind of year that mean he's having statistically which is nowhere near what he's been in the past he's down OP yes slugging across the board. The point is. Matt holiday becomes more of an option as they go forward and he can't reach contract agreement with Colorado Iraqis he still. Under contract and -- control through next year and you're gonna have to give up prospects to get him for next year. Maybe their plan is we we shined it on for one more year of Manny Ramirez. Holiday becomes a free agent and and we bring it here you know that I can see that is being a plan my issue is you're going to run into the same crap that mean he's giving you this year or next year.

Oh my god if you -- an option out I hated that crap and 4 that crap sure stunk last year but a different business like Jo Myers and I went and I was on this series and yours is at all the time. And I loved it I belted into my core. You can't win championships with guys like Manny Ramirez at the top your locker in the top of pails pay scale at the end of the day. Guys like -- are bad for business like help that in my court and you know what happened. He won two World Series was the MVP he'll want public -- been the MVP of the second he helps you win the -- when it's all about to be winning championships.

I think Manny is becoming a player -- it's getting harder and harder to deal with all the Manny being Mary -- idiosyncrasies. Because he's simply not the player that he was two or three years ago and the statistic bear it out of pushing McCormick. Is unacceptable used that -- this stuff about the contract and insult. You care because it's a distraction it was the -- they have the deal but that's not. I think it's becoming more and more of an issue for him but the thing with you Kalus all the stuff out of character for him like -- at Charlotte is that a problem because it shows that that contract stuff is getting him.

I'll probably I mean at. Because he's not the same lovable Manny being Manny what he's doing I think you're loving. Winning championships. Winning. How does the Manny experience this year prevent you from -- help you win more of a distraction. Would that impact how's your husband's got whacked greats he's been fine but it's just not one isolated and I'm saying all these things together. Use -- to have a little bit of an issue and it's not much of an adult or break him for what is -- well right now seems like that McNamee why -- Distract how many.

Not much -- well my point is there are very uncharacteristic things within that clubhouse and on that team that are starting to happen that it never happened before they could start to be distractions I was tripled on this team I was talking about -- Ramirez whose. Obviously the contract is on his mind you talk about Jason Varitek was entering free agency has been terrible and the contract it does not have their attack what up what are what I'm saying is both players are thinking about their contracts in addition to what they're doing on the -- have.

And mental game those can be problems coming down the stretch and that is that it's a good thing why he's here it's lights -- fifteen at light hitting 500. And to get the bat on his shoulders in New York hitting 500. Since that road trip we pushed that topic secretary it was always going to hit 500 for the rest for years I'm not and that I'm telling you that these big distractions are talking about. And take my reason they want and Anaheim Joe. They went on the road. They can't -- on the road no want to Major League Baseball right now is winning on the road what they flip positions but the rays why why the Yankees went three straight. The Yankees on the raised on the socks on the road teams in Major League Baseball had a winning record above 500 record.

On the road is -- have a winning record race 500 a batter 3500 or better for this for their 500 better I don't count the 500 when it's over cars that makes your point as a fact scary good point. And then their their three teams that are either two games or less under 500 you -- or seven teams that are very close to 500 over my isn't much of numbers and sweating out there -- the -- only eight teams that finished 500 better in the major leagues last year it's not a big difference I it's maybe it's on recent trend it's not now. --

Real quick about the -- complaining. Of the contract out to it's a bad thing -- opposite others Dennis Tankersley.

So upsetting to me I mean another as an ex player and watching this from afar you know I've had guys in Houston talk about their contracts all the time Rickey Henderson. -- was bothersome I know even when I was there and I'm not there I don't know the temperature what's happening over there but I've watched what's been going down. And then nobody is home with his people Scotland not make it very much like this guys dropping a twenty million bomb like it's no big deal I'm in the driver's seat in this that's bothersome you know to me.

I'm sort of bothered back but how does that impact the team winning and losing all I've seen Andy do since he puts the secretary down it's a complain about the contract publicly. Is break he's hitting 500. The -- he whacked Joe and I know you've told this before you worried that many hitting your clothes would sort of hot tempered down -- you're able to be demonstrative like he used to be that would hurt his game. I don't know hasn't happened ever since that happened all -- done. Is break -- many Youkilis these things -- why they lost over the weekend they can't went on the road like much a Major League Baseball. I'm sort -- doesn't like it but it's not impact the team's winning and losing.

Certain line. Where -- stuff at me and he does -- isolated incidents and I was and how it happened passing guy come out and blast the player like that. -- would actually. How is -- about like about Julio Lugo. And the money spent on the Lugo or -- or -- about it Biggio. Being paid fourteen and softly not playing everyday so it's okay -- has got to come out. And kill -- By -- front office decision. Need that sort of reaction we hear that will have a problem with that. I have now yeah I felt I don't Hagerty. On dale and Holley W the island -- the numbers. The only time they screw this up Jimmy. 617 some -- I'm done it before you know I'll keep account -- of screw ups and rotted the running now 61 subs not on the Internet. 617779850. If you -- like I am hated it 525850. Email address -- how it that you EEI dot com Oliver and Hagerty. I'm dale and -- W yeah.