08-13-08 Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Every Wednesday at this time we talked with a manager of the Boston Red Sox. Joining us now on the eighteenth -- hot line manager of the Sox Terry Francona. Terry's also brought to you by Emeka insurance. Interest systems. And doctor Robert Leonard at 1800 get -- good afternoon Terry. Great. That you don't don't -- looking at our own pictures it's very satisfying experience to. I don't want to -- this. Augusta it was. Picture day here at the Sports Radio that like in the one guy -- again pictures on in school let's go we had dressed up but we're real close and stuff like that. Well celebrity you looked like Michael all. -- Their -- are correct. -- last hour we were talked in the Gammons. And he said I bet Terry didn't have a lot of on managing that game last night is that true.

first inning stood there. The double doubles. State and we obviously total more unique game. But part of -- a better team but the first in -- got sort of ballot that you know. Because at times we've had some troubles -- it was exhilarating. And stand. -- watch -- way he quickly. You know he's started jagr rated idyllic we noble or don't go okay that would they take a lead. You know it's tough but good good part of television compliant and ended up being great but now what -- screwed up what is up being a good night.

I made the point earlier that you if it looked to me like you desperately wanted Charlie's and to get through that fifth inning. And ultimately you just felt you just couldn't wait anymore anymore.

Yeah that's a good good way to put it and built up a commanding lead in the deal the two spot to second but don't expect conflict you know up. -- you want a pitcher -- five not. Not just for obvious reasons but when you go to your bullpen that early you always run the risk that you can't stop. What you started and that's exactly what happened last night we've we've -- a with a delightful and couldn't stop but and that got frustrated feeling.

I know as a fan. I'll watch in the game and I'm thinking okay ten zip in the first. This is the win and I'm sure Tito is just trying to get six innings. Out of Charlie's -- or maybe seven -- mean she. What do you think you do you like your mind to drip do you allow yourself that think the unthinkable that this is the win the first and even with and runs.

No I think people I think -- probably do sort -- drifts at times but it's. Not lawyer I think you're trying to certainly. You -- stayed in the present which are eager you'd think it had been okay. Can we -- six and depending don't want to score a hole we want to go to reliever we were all respect it like that even in close games but the real responsibility to do that. But it was tipped away so quickly in the fifth. And the one thing he reluctantly we don't want to do is you don't want to warm up multiple guys early in the game because your -- pretty much. Ensuring that somebody's going to get spanked. Well not pitching in the game and will want to do that -- tried to -- to -- he's. Remember the ball into center fielder Coco I think maybe caught Ottawa didn't get credit for dealt with a -- him that we go to -- with a two lefties in two outs. We end up on to him with one out they get runners on. And like I said that that line doubled and when we could stop.

And you were part of a ridiculous game in the minor leagues with the Colorado sky Sox gave up twelve -- to when he runs and still won the game. -- better part of a game like this. In Major League level.

We played a game and a you know American legion ball park and Ed -- was trying to make a comeback Q but -- ultimately becomes. I think that that they deep tour news. Come back are if you let it affect our I think I had -- respect game browser only one I think -- five singles. Everybody else football field down by guys Serena and it'll pull bobbled the skateboard park I have finals soft single to left.

Hey -- Kevin Youkilis told me a week or so ago that if you get to twenty home runs in Major League Baseball people consider you'll power hitter. Do you agree with that is Kevin Youkilis a power hitter and.

Ball I don't know I don't know I'm -- plugged that they thought I'm not sure it's important to what he's considered besides being. They're good productive hitter in open guy -- 92 point one would. It was different just a bit -- molded I don't know that I've ever Puerto. A label on somebody once they get to two wanted to I don't good hitter and I'm really too dangerous hitter. And the fact that he's hit for power without selling out -- stroke to hit for power as a -- groups on.

You alluded to it -- a minute ago about last night cocos catch. There was -- catch there was the fan interference call there're a lot of plays. This this that the 36 runs scored a lot of -- place that game. -- when you look at the replay would you convince that Coco -- 'cause I was.

The knowledge and they're actually -- eyes I think by the -- rule. And they actually might not -- catch. On agreement they've -- him -- also legitimate source quoted down. You gotta sometimes you get a -- every call doorway. And we always will but what do you what do part of tell if you look at a replay. Just -- impartial look at that goal for the first time in put in fast motion.

How about the cast play at the plate he made. A great play off of a tough throw from Pedroia Pedroia made a good throw off a deflection. The like cash was able to give them justice he got to plate or slightly before what would.

I'm real -- for a little stuff that I have probably the worst view of the world because where were sitting down dictated. You know I thought peavy -- gets double Laura picked guys deftly jumping out. But the throw pie -- you made a great swiped and I -- or more on catcher's reaction. And early early one little one that I can't see. The plate more upset in the -- the other times out -- out there anyway but. -- what I don't want to do is lose my cool went. It looks like cart team and start to lose their cool about the worst thing can happen -- sudden it again that's another thing to get goal against the subtlety to do that's what need to. Try to be calm when you don't really want be called bodies to do.

Yesterday the Red Sox acquired pitcher of pitcher Paul Byrd from the Cleveland Indians. He pitched for you in Philadelphia had nice things to say about his time with in Philadelphia. What do you think Paul Byrd brings to your table.

I thought it was a great great acquisition. Media at a time and feel kind of -- it probably best gesture you know you get into September. You can go to pitching. You know I think I hope to in a couple weeks somebody accuses -- out too much pitching that be great. Going to do you fall short. -- awarded gold -- and pitching really well lately but stage arsenal won't be too big effect I think we all like it'll it'll play whatever -- Whatever he does he -- throw strikes. I think there's not one person -- all excitable little birdie.

What kind of pitcher was the for you in Philadelphia is the is he pretty much the same guy who was then.

Yeah I think its velocity might be a little bit down you want to put a great story you -- we picked him up ball waivers from Atlanta. We're going to send a triple play and they we picked him up. Somebody got hurt she went on to make the All-Star team the next year. And and then proceeded to have an arm surgery doubles part of my responsible they're too which is almost tough to didn't put little. The bullpen picture by the bullpen could be and he got hurt -- it derailed it for a while. I'd been through a lot but he knows how to pitch and he's really excited to part of a pennant race I'm -- some I think he's going to help us a lot.

What's the situation with Tim Wakefield and this turn on the DL.

I think last year I want to before. And we we got to a point of no return and that didn't help anybody. So rather then go one -- started just because he's pitched so well and try to -- give more and middle support trouble. Give him back you're getting evaluated Letterman on the court vote shot and hopefully after a couple of excellent deal they'll come back in bill there's rest this season. Without much discomfort. And because he was pitching great but it just didn't -- so little weaker it would get more comfortable. And that's not going to open bullet.

What do you expect from from Michael all -- left and left the game last night is he gonna play tonight to or what was the plan for him going.

He's not gonna play tonight for sure -- right now to get -- result. Dirt that are the doctors or even Nomar to as we speak. And we should get a cold and pretty soon this is got a chance to be a lord culpable -- he what he comes out of a game. He could barely beat me he was really struggle. And so it went to get those you know -- This is going to war you know we're going to have to get -- checked out the early today.

obviously feel very confident whenever you have to move Kevin Youkilis to third base you know we can play the position you know get any drop off there. Do you have the same confidence when you put Sean Casey and at first base.

All the the problem not a problem but it or lose. The Award particular gold glove first baseman put them at a different position or losing a goal blocked help or -- as smoltz. You've got a really good deep center combination now you know. Or in a great situation where you can even gold -- every team can do that. And and we -- put a guy at first base attempt to reach fifty so again it may not be perfect but it's it's a lot better -- one OT can do.

You know like you're probably not thinking about this right now because he got. Tonight's game in your mind but I was I was wondered about this last night because not -- to manage the game. -- him across in the other dugout you see Ron Washington. Former teammate of -- John -- your pitching coach former teammate of -- Bud Black a manager now former teammate of yours. Did you Buddy Bell was the former teammate of yours he managed for awhile. When you guys are playing that this ever cross your mind did you ever think Camelot I'm around a lot of -- baseball minds these guys -- manager coach in the big leagues one day.

Blows first or maybe you just mentioned earlier Cleveland. -- 36 games out of first place. You're not think about 1 they -- Under your -- it won't make your manager. We were total for the worst team government on. And puts you just they've poured it everywhere close at all foreman a -- wash. And John Carroll reviewed all close we are Bud Black we just were trying to. Stay in the big leagues and make a living 'cause we -- very good.

You're bad you're terrible team acted like he had one of my favorite guys and Danielle Steele jumps on me about this the guy can still play today looks like he's 31 years old Julio Franco. In the a -- over parity.

Don't want somebody who dominated the duty was Dario I'd have to -- played within that invalid in 1988. It was split from volatile story we just we can't anybody out about back when we couldn't community --

A bad comedy I like. Below average -- of -- remains the pitching staff member rich not yet and I feel good yeah Cubs there.

I get a good news all you need to look at is. I was creating. -- that tell you all you need to know.

And I I wanted to ask you about Clay Buchholz but you know it we might as well let one of our RE mailers do it. To start with because Red Sox second -- brought to you by Mohegan Sun a world that play. In balls Clay Buchholz and brad Barnes -- Bridgewater asks. Why was it necessary to change Clay Buchholz -- delivery if he'd been pitching as well as he had up until this year. What are the mechanics he wasn't doing correctly that needed to be changed.

Well together again though we'll have thirty minutes and all -- basically -- trying to do was block would would Archie has. And it was just kind of making his -- plotting consistent. We're trying to. -- Morrow flicked in a barrel as opposed. Artist he is doing up better what that does the kind of -- your arm slot maybe a couple of inches away from your year. It's going to try to give -- a little more action on the ball but basically what it is is just a more consistent. Release point that's basically what it is. If you can throw -- any Pritchard told on the same arm -- every time. What with all his pitches there's going to be some deception. There's going to be repetition in order throws. Which is going to lead to consistency. Last year on puck came up there were some games he threw it didn't matter his stuff was off the charts that's what would love him so much but. -- once you get. In the big leagues and nobody can start after start there does need to be some changes made. -- it happens to a lot of people.

In a perfect world are these the sorts of mechanical changes that you prefer to do. In the fall league -- in the offseason that type a thing.

Yes but what happened was and he alluded to go to the Marlins never struggled. His off speed was so good. Vick that the -- is knowledgeable -- reports in Major League hitters. That are there are spitting on somebody's have been used to slowing. He's called for something for the first time. We're the good partners Ross's just give a lot of fight in him and we've had some concessions to them I think the staff work cited. Just because we don't see -- put his tail between his -- and border war -- because. Again disputed these huge part of our future and we think he's going to be part of our presence.

You may have just answered my next question I was going to ask you have you had to convince him. Privately especially after a start like he had on Sunday have -- to convince him. Clay this is the best thing for you trust does this change if you can perfect it is really --

Well it's but it's not just like again I don't think he's up there thinking about it changed he's doing the things -- you know again of the arsenal back that's been done he's been. Much more consistent with that it's it's no amount of but. A case of didn't Major League hitters out and executing and again when things start to look like they're going to unravel just to stop the bleeding. It just because it's execute the pitches it's not like he's out there thinking through every pitch and trying to make an adjustment we wouldn't do that told.

Ivan bragging on your bullpen here for a little bit and saying that that they've really improved their performance is a lot since the All-Star break about your ticket and I -- has or hasn't -- out again -- Nobody could get anybody out last night do you agree with me that your bullpen has been improved since the All-Star break last last night notwithstanding.

Yeah yeah I think Okajima and been much better and I actually -- can save those last night. With the addition of Masterson. It is allowed us to do some different things and won't stole the ball better he looks healthy bill -- the one guy. It is stuff we need him to be huge for us. We can't we still and YouTube or potential to wear and August but I think real potential to have very dominant open. At times is pretty consistent sold -- plug away.

We mentioned this earlier eighth inning last I believe it was the -- you guys were down by a run. And Jacoby Ellsbury is on first base Dustin Pedroia at the plate. Did. Did -- very miss a steal sign look like up Detroit took a pitch right down the middle and -- didn't run.

You know he had the green light and and the dice. Execute slide step obsolete he held up. Chicks actually go to ruling could double the bases -- this situation there where it was a pitcher that hadn't had a lot of success holding runners. And if he picked -- like -- Any didn't produce like we stopped get a good job of around about putting Kevin BTB. They'll keep going to go on them not doors -- at some point that sometimes that's just part of it.

Going to have to give us your nickname Rolodex you know the different -- we ever heard Jake before we haven't heard -- before today.

We start talk baseball I just should tell you called don't fall into it.

Nicknames or five is just -- we need to keep up that's all we just -- it --

From the bench we can't use.

SA I have an -- kind of afraid to probably had nicknames for us and I don't I don't really had a few for Pedroia at that you probably can't careless. I will say one thing man he has had himself a sophomore year. Forget you know sophomore slumps or anything he continues to just put the bat on the ball for you guys with an unbelievable consistency.

Bill and dog so there's a lot. He can play he can flat out like Pete. He willed himself to win -- he -- real partial to bundle appointment and a whole cobalt we need a loud obnoxious. And brighter and I mean -- a good way to becomes its own laws do want to ballgame. And people find a lot of different ways to -- do that and -- got blood on our side.

I tell you what will make your life fun as a manager you imagine haven't Kinsler in Pedroia on the same team which is what happened when they were in college.

Yeah not too long I think he -- him -- there. Yet another bit to get two pretty good secondary we're going to go to Joe right now it's it will -- conclude have a phenomenal year but --

Final question from me before we let you go on it it has to do with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Because he he continues maybe to frustrate some fans in terms of pitch counts and control. But -- I made the point with Michael earlier this week if you look at all of his numbers for the entire year. At at the end of the season if he keeps up like this he's going to finish in the top five for the cy young.

You build this group that Billy we get were always trying to get better and there are something's going to happen to male -- who have made it harder on him. If you look at his good sporting there's there are not better. Now he's had to pitch out of bind because he's walked a lot of people. But again if you turn it around all the pulled aside and you if he's called strike to maybe -- it around so again. Bill we're always trying to get better -- the same time I think he's thirteen and two. Sold. It'll it's. -- to whims and and I do think he's getting better also I think -- pretty good -- insult but but again we're all trying to get better but again you don't don't want to devoid of success either.

We appreciate time it's always will talk to next week. Garcia by the way for being selected for a Red Sox second -- Brad Barnes Lee has won a midweek hotel stay at Mohegan Sun. Mohegan Sun world looked like Terry Francona is brought to you by eighteen team with more bars in more places switched to the wireless network with a best global coverage. AT&T. -- or world delivered.