8-13-08 Dale and Holley Talk Red Sox

You know was one of those things where I was -- go to the last night season of Batman movie. And where opted endurance is Alice is Ohman and I go home. And thank goodness because I might still be watching my TiVo if fight had to go back through that whole thing. Pitch by pitch and batter -- that was the weirdest baseball game I've ever seen in my life so. You did -- no doubt no doubt she's in the dark we went to dinner and and it is Alice just go home -- home instead. And so I got to sit there and watched you know an entire baseball game that was the weirdest thing I've ever seen.

So winning in Paris they aren't mad and I got to the got to -- that's what Richard -- last night. Very strange and and may be Terry Francona will disagree with this. Now that they won the game. But during the game. They have a ten run first David Ortiz two home runs in the first two strikeouts and respect -- you. You you go up -- and that you can not lose that game you can't lose it it would be devastating it would be awful. And he would probably say and only play one and 160.

I was I was out pitches well the next night Howland now is the only -- normally I was that I -- I always ascribe to that old baseball brawl lied about you know. Any momentum is is predicated the next day Richard the next day's starting pitcher and you feel good about pitcher go on tonight but I'm -- you -- this. I mean if you got a ten -- lead in the first inning in your own ballpark. And can't hold onto it. And and kick it away the way you know they were in the process of of kicking it away last night I can't believe it would be stereo.

You know let out -- want to give credit. To the great. I mean just fantastic. We're lucky to have in the Boston market gable Bryant last night it is. At least ten to twelve to. Dave O'Brien says. Just an observation games that you would think about a comeback is that just an observation. I've noticed that. Charlie thinks knuckleball. Is much higher than Tim Wakefield Wakefield has a way of having that -- ball go low and tumbled down on you. Charlie's eighth knuckleball if I it's probably thump in the be concerned about that early in the game table -- on top.

Well and good call by him nothing I noticed as I was watching it is you know when they show the super small ball wakes knuckleball. I mean there's like no rotation at all it just sort of floats up there and then as you said the drop out now there was a lot more rotation on thinks knuckleball. Last night I don't know if that was if and it probably combination of all the stuff you know you're making your first Major League start. The oldest pitcher to make his Major League debut in in ten years. And you know there's there's an errors that's all -- pitching on three days' rest. You're you're facing a lineup that is free swinging I don't knock your socks off in -- and careful -- they were all combined. I kind of felt bad for Charlie -- And and you go back that Terry Francona talked about Cla Meredith you know we put him in a position that was really top -- I feel and in some respects the Red Sox kind of -- zinc in that as well yeah.

An ideal. Ideal team in the face and if you if you make your Major League debut. Best case scenario you you make it against the Oakland days right. And they won last but with a -- to Toronto Blue Jays you know somebody. Somebody's not patient but doesn't have a lineup just chock full. Of talented hitters who scared me you look at the at the Texas last night Milton Bradley if that's an injury concern he's from the great season Josh Hamilton having a great season it Kinsler. Having a great season.

Marlon Byrd let it get out you take -- are out. I'm in and the numbers of what he's hit -- the American League player of the week but you know the numbers that he had the over the last lately only 23 kick them out. And and I I felt bad form you know as and I know Terry desperately wanted him to get that one more out in the fifth inning. And put himself in a position to at least get away as -- and he just couldn't wait longer he tried he was he was doing everything he could do to will this kid to get another out. And and I I've I know he'll tell us when we talked to him later on that it killed him to have -- lot and get him you know with two outs in the fifth inning yet.

Choice at that but I just wonder why these things happen in baseball it's amazing is that where one guy doesn't have it. They -- go to somebody else. And they don't have it is not just your team -- right budget thinking nobody could get anybody -- if you're Red Sox and -- you'd think demand our bullpen is terrible what it would do about that. Well. -- Charlie -- can get anybody out. And in Manny Delcarmen couldn't get anybody out. And Hideki Okajima actually got people out David Aardsma couldn't. Javier Lopez looked shaky and everybody was given -- even. When he got the job that -- on at the end it was an honor prior is still you know even he gave up -- running up tying run at the plate but it's it's -- must be some than in the terrorists has won titles vibes that happens. Every once in awhile. Yet that little glitch in the matrix that you have a nineteen to seventeen game.

Now we -- saw the replay and and it's -- tickets home run. On on the war Ortiz hit an interference and I'll tell you why I I'm I'm I want to make a huge deal out of it I don't know if you noticed. Security came in for the kid out right now fan interference just lesson for you boys and girls okay you interfere they're comedy sketch. And you gotta tell and security came -- you saw security come in the kid you know sorry son you've got to go the blew the call. Right what do -- was wrong what do the kid caught the ball exactly like he's allowed to do and that's the way I sought by the way. -- gets chucked from the game because the umpire got it wrong you know as it's a good point but I I honestly they'll. Yeah itself of a home run -- I didn't some replays clearly reach over the wall in the Jeffrey Maier. Like.

it's so obvious to me he does and -- Bob ball and Baltimore that was is going to be the top of the wall and that cute to hold it. I don't know what happened does not happen I don't know. I mean that the NAFTA replays and they tried as hard as they could but I really couldn't get a clear sense. What happen. It would it wasn't so obvious. Either way where you can just say yes that's a home run. Or yes that's -- an affair. As as Francona said when he got back to the dugout three peoples that if the home run three people said it's been an apparent. So that's 5050.

young man got chopped and I hope they got the call right because. When I when I kept looking at it on replay it looked to me like I'm in that I mean that 50% of thought it was a good it was a good catch by the kid that he didn't do anything wrong. It looked to me like it was a ball the wall you know when he when he caught it. Sell -- I'm I'm one of those people who thought and attack in this -- out he didn't do anything.

Yeah and they had that you're in at another that you forgot the point about that the fan interference. Overall. Not only were there a lot of runs scored this game 36 runs scored but errors down. A lot of judgment calls.

From the part still and watch what they got at the plate he was he where where it was the -- Kevin Cash that before the -- I don't know that was very close play once again I don't know about that went but they did get one right. Texas with complain about Texas. You know the ground rules of Fenway Park into the left along. On the Ortiz home run. In fact even Remy didn't know the rule initially. He's at all -- got this wrong -- at the line. And in between innings they told him about the ground rule you have it there eat it then bounces out -- you know wall. -- got that right.

So they got it right but. -- about the Coco play another one and that's a judgment call Coke -- catches the ball. Briefly. And then. It the ball slips out and Coco is trying to make the case of Francona trying to make the case that he held the ball long and up on the table what I metric but just instinct took over. I'll watch and it. And I say. It's not like it had never discriminate.

it dropped. I think he dropped the idea I -- I thought he was trying to transfer guy in the other question was up there. And that and I I was with Coke along that I held it.

For another and a half second. He can have a case but he he didn't hold onto a quite long and oppose the go for. At hockey leaders up in the go under the hood and it just look at the look at the replay those levels -- situation -- thing is to.

Understand the rule yet exactly all that stuff IA out I was yelling at my TV in the eight. When you can listen I don't hate dating -- and before he hit the home run. Jacoby Ellsbury go yet when they tied the tide in the seventh and when they -- yeah went when Jacoby scored the run that tied the game on the Pedroia hit right. He's on first base 1 out and I am yellen a TV steal call. And at one point -- even commented on Pedroia taken a strike right down the middle. Because he was trying to give Ellsbury an opportunity to steal the base right now as it turns out it worked out fine Pedroia hits the ball off the wall. You know Ellsbury is able to score because he has -- got the best wheels that we've seen in these parts then years. But I'm saying to myself man why do you think -- bear. I'm a it is it is the perfect situation where they want you to get into scoring position. And I don't know what it is I -- nervous now. Because he's had some difficulties although we start economic had some difficulties -- the last little bit I mean I can't imagine. That -- Marlow hill was actually given in the stop sign no you can't steal here. I mean I think they want him -- I think Pedroia definitely wanted him to -- and dusty did not a lefty.

Pitcher are I don't know I don't know maybe maybe they were little spooked by the Coco. The Coco play when they guessed. That was the cult of right yet Coco was going and they got them I mean they got him by two feet.

I'm not sure that if they pitched out they can get Ellsbury and not help nasty nice bath I don't know if he's that draftees if they pitched out on him earlier this year he stolen -- He's faster than Coco crafts. By actually a pretty fair chunk I think but but I I wouldn't say about their job and I -- bastard that's exactly the situation where. You know the global Red Sox should have been the -- Red Sox turned out it didn't matter. Thankfully Pedroia hit that ball off the wall and and Ellsbury ties that anyway I was frustrated. At all Gulbis is worked. If they ever needed a stolen base was the one but.

Let's wake up the -- Richardson's. That Greek god of walks though is that that day is bad pass that. History path that would except that history proud you all back after we like that anymore Kevin Youkilis. Really had turned into a middle of the line up.

Power hitting first base intentionally walked David or power or get -- on first baseman. I talked to him about this week or so ago. And he said he said if you hit twenty home runs in his life he said if you hit twenty home runs in this league you're considered a power. He's you know he didn't he didn't go into the season saying I hit more home runs you know I gotta I gotta hit the long ball more he didn't go that. -- go into it thinking that but think about this. He's had all war. Two home -- games that's right. -- and and and both of them last one to center field. Seton Hall go out there. Even the last one was another and I it was a cracked cracked. He he is a legitimate like you've said power hitting corner infielder. And can play either corner spot thankfully because I think he's going to be playing in -- for the next couple weeks over on the other side. I've got a feeling Michael's going to be sat down for a little bit here since I heard oblique muscle on you know -- generally don't heal overnight. You know it's not like he slapped a bunch of ice on it and go back out and play the next day.

Yeah we know all about leaks from Pedro. Remember page -- used. So Mobley troubles you guys. -- I -- let him play drums starting army arm were not going to go over the Pedro asking for the extension and then saying. I'm not going to come cheaper but over all that stuff just mentioning. Pedro on the --

And I have a feeling Youkilis going to end up playing third now they're they're very lucky the way they constructed this team Sean Casey jumps right in at first base. You don't drop off defensively he's he's got no no power but he he's a very good hitter. You know you're not going to have this dramatic drop off. W a lot of drop off in power because case he's going to have.

And I mean askew again. -- I'm going to test your I'm testing you I am baiting you all right you know this right now I am baiting you. How do you feel about the bullpen today.

I don't -- last night's game and say that's the bull. I mean really I I understand what it looked like last night nobody could get anybody out I understand I. I understand what to trying to do. I tell you what a journal I -- I -- just look at that it's not going to work of course you understand it is closer that's as dumb as what some of the callers try to do and you'd -- caller who took the last night's game and tried to turn that into the season.

I'm not trying to turn it into the season or what I meant has been berry good -- what I'm saying to you is what what I'm asking you is are you confident that this is a good. This bullpen as is is a championship level bullpen as it is right now.

Yeah I -- 'cause I think today. I think that they can win the championship and relaxed out there are going to make a lot of changes here without making a move they made a change last night. They acquired Paul Byrd a move that I think was a great move and I think the Yankees are going to have a hard time explaining this one you know what it the what the Yankees are saying to their fans were done. We got no chance this year why because because they could've blocked this. And you want to talk about a team in desperate need of starting pitching help. The Yankees don't need starting pitching this guy's number since the all star break he's four and always ERA is like a buck for. Tell me he wouldn't be better than the Watson inject some that the Yankees throw out their three out of five days. And I don't understand they they were below the Red Sox and standings. They could've blocked this thing and maybe they don't want the media storm how about this according Paul Byrd according to the stories out of New York. The Yankees were adamant that the Indians pay the rest of Byrd's contract this year.

The Yankees money -- somebody to pay money is what held up. The Yankees acquiring Paul Byrd money was the issue.

It's just it's a surprising pick up though. For the Red Sox a good one yes every now words that is the -- could say that great pitcher or even. A very good when but you'll stay at the fifth start that he's very good but I I have beat beat. I have always been a fan of Paul Byrd -- back. In the days in the I told -- but that aluminum stadium yet yes. Thurman Munson stadium with the name of that night and can't Ohio armaments that -- so. Paul Byrd was there. Alan Embree was there. Manny was there briefly. Well I don't know what kitten. To sip of Columbus but and there was a guy. A starting pitcher from the bigs. Who was there on a rehab assignment once upon a time this guy's going to be a star John Ferrero -- Was there so he saw a lot of those guys but Paul Byrd. Extremely nice guy and he allowed talk -- go over there and in in due those Wednesday games. He's an interest in got a as a matter fact how many -- give your suggestion. Pull him aside today talked to him as as part of your pregame stuff because you really enjoyed.

Well little -- he played with a -- Cleveland and with raven a bottom yet tremendous guy and and everybody you know says the same thing. I am not even talking about you know always good clubhouse guy good dial out. I'm just saying he needs some starting pitching on this team they're sending -- back to Pawtucket today. Now that means. Byrd is going to start in place of Buchholz on Friday. Ball when last night's turn in the rotation comes up again. You're gonna have to fill with somebody else 'cause Charlie -- went back last night Tim Wakefield won't be ready to come off the DL at that point. So I think the next time that spot comes up it'll be a Michael Bolton or somebody like that will commence here where David Pauley Coors.

David -- card or David -- got to play that David poly -- but but Paul Byrd. Is a nice solid number four number five that's all it's all they want him to be don't have to worry about -- he's he's pretty consistent. And that is. You've got to give up that game I talked about last night. Hoping for a four run sixth inning game from -- which wasn't happening you can see that very early that it wasn't going to happen. That's the game that Paul Byrd did pretty consumed me.

Beat the Red Sox in the playoffs I mean this guy's a good solid Major League pitcher doesn't walk anybody I mean. You got to earn it 'cause he walked in -- it's too bad have to watch that lined -- though is not funny a man and a half now. But that you know somebody else is going to have get a spot start here. You know colon isn't ready yet Wakefield won't be off the DL. My guess is. Bode will get a chance that would be guests on my part they could -- Bolton last night. He pitched Monday in Pawtucket he hold him off for a day given an extra day's rest he could've been the guy last night I think they were trying to reward -- Because the injury was to Wakefield it was the perfect opportunity to reward him you know Wakefield out. Europe will slide the knuckleballer writing and I applaud them for even try and it good for them. I mean good for him he finally got his Major -- America -- dark and you know next week when when that spot comes up again we'll see if it boat missed the guy -- I have a feeling that's --