08-20-08 Dale and Bradford talk Sox

Have you gotten to be such a big deal and -- WEEI empire that we're now customizing the opens just to amuse you. I brought -- McClure back in the site that's all I care about I mean -- our entire purpose to -- rob Bradford and the folks at WPI dot com yes that's my contract you know. Another contract -- I didn't tell me about it well welcome to Baltimore. An absolutely spectacular day. We -- here Oriole Park at Camden yards with the Red Sox won again last night over the Baltimore Orioles. As -- announcer voice and Michael is on vacation so we -- very happy to bring in the latest big star and our our our little empire here. From my WEEI dot com had exactly -- robbed brad here all the writers. Stars. On the -- I should point out to -- you know I was traveling yesterday on that are com's diamond. And how to force stopped -- again here Baltimore and I'm staying and I'm in a comforting and down the street like my new computer and Bradford on the other hand has an entire sweet. At the very top of the renaissance -- yeah -- dot com is Allard. Very big star and I mean if this thing ever makes money imagine ideal travel and -- or you're out on the road with the Red Sox in here last night. Much of the baseball news was back in Boston. At least most much of our attention. I'm in the baseball world was back in Boston were happy to report the Carl Yastrzemski at what is called successful triple bypass surgery I guess the good news is. They said they thought they were going to have to -- quadruple bypass surgery so it ended up even being not as expensive as they thought --

You know it's like this happens in well obviously -- glad it worked out Yan hasn't. It's great news but the like this happen to me to reflect on on what this government in the game what this diamond the area it is. This is not a lot of time to do that you can't sometimes forget that these are the guys who laid the foundation in. And yet as -- as the one of -- and so many ways and I think that yesterday offer that opportunity with the unfortunate way to do that but. Unfortunately he -- he's okay my view you might meet dale mean. You stop and think everything from. I heard so many people the park yesterday talked about how the implicated Carl Yastrzemski batting that batting -- I was a lefty to and it's stupid that way up here and a throwing the bat Friday. I mean that. At least four times yesterday walking throughout the park. That's not a Triple Crown. Not not playing for the same team for a solo career. By how people imitating him when they're playing -- well since the passing of Ted Williams Carl Yastrzemski assumed the mantle of the greatest living Red Sox player yeah. And -- for a little while yesterday all of us who still consider him the greatest living Red Sox player. That caught up short little bit because we're thinking man I hope he's still the greatest living Red Sox player. And were very happy to report but he apparently will be here and won yet another thing you can beat them aware of Carpenter grammys now in the limelight yet in the spotlight. I mean he doesn't really make itself available whole life ego the All-Star game he wasn't there when it was the other -- famers in this is this as part of part of yes and maybe that's what makes something like yesterday. Take our attention so much more can we don't see him everyday that we don't hear about him everyday so when something like this happen.

Recent world man yes -- thought about him awhile and it's like great things to think about when it comes the was out of the -- what's at erotic most of it at least I thought well that he has when he didn't show up Cooperstown for Dick Williams induction into the Hall of Fame. Carlton -- wasn't there either you know I'll post of of hall of famers were there. Yeah as wasn't in my first thought was well let's yes he doesn't do anything absolutely Anemia yeah that is that -- case that's yes. Same thing at the All-Star game and at all Altman was there -- he wasn't it was a slight to the Yankees it was just that's a demo. We we have chance Michael and I were doing the show in Fort Myers and it was two springs ago. And he was there as he occasionally shows up then and quite honestly I'll admit it. When that Jimmy Stewart or producer asked him if he'd come on the air with -- I was shocked when he said yes awhile yeah and and join us for a while we got talk a little baseball wouldn't. And it was just you know for a kid grew up in New England. If it continues and I've talked Diaz probably half a dozen times before it continues to be a thrill when you -- chance to say I don't just talk a little --

I don't know if -- and -- range. -- with a big league teams coasted down the street honesty and after the Major League complex and the minor leaguers it's still there. If you go down as snapped back the mildly window and an immediate and the big league the all all the lowest -- while leaders. That's what you'll see yet and that's Torre likes to absolutely and you'll see and it's not as you -- I'm Yan looked at me. That's what it's like the Red Sox. He's decades showing guys. And and is no cameras and nobody knows what went to know about it. But if you watch him. -- he was the hardest working hitting coach during that five minutes I watched them. -- I'd never even heard of and that really stood up -- up day in between me you know what I would worry about as the even know he has. But you know even. Yeah and that's int and four where yeah that's the best thing about probably preferred to be doesn't exactly he's like you know oh well attitude that. Awesome guy spring threatening gray hair I had an area it was really passionate about its job in. And it went -- If that's that's pretty cool thing while I was very happy then we were walking around the press box here last night as -- everybody was talking about them and everybody was expressing relief that. He was okay in the the surgery on successfully -- I think that we're worried about that everything went all right apparently has so. Were happy to keep Carl Yastrzemski at the top of our list of greatest living Red Sox oh by -- it was a little weird ego in the locker room. And you heard about this and you have to approach Carpenter means Jim Palmer and ask questions like things didn't work out okay. And he did but its -- comfortable on and then Khalili. What -- in in retrospect it gets gets the word out there about all the great things Remy talked about yet is great. About how he -- looking him in the last day of his career watching him. Breakdown in the years and that this -- lasting image Jim Palmer talking about facing yet all that. That was a great para de the other off they got that point wasn't so great it turns out withdrawal Wheldon. Well talk about another medical issue -- this more close to home for the current Red Sox and word came down yesterday about the situation with this staff ace and I don't think there's any doubt about that despite the success of Jon Lester. You know this is still a staff that's being you know led by one single guy in. You wanna start talking about tingling in the in the ring finger in the pinky finger at hand this is a bad thing and and I I was here in time to be in the clubhouse but reading the comments on line today it sounded as though. Josh is a little bit concerned about it as well well I you know it's it's artery between lines I think it. The fact that they identified Tuesday and -- he's going to start in the urging. Does it might as they would in the real -- and -- not going to we're not steadily for him. Now he's that this before and mean this extreme certainly like you said dale and -- anything while. And that you throw the ball. -- it up now -- and you have to be weary yeah. But southerners don't doubt for couple they'd knock it grow but what they wrote about this'll be up soon on yeah dot com. Is that this one thing Josh Beckett this that Josh Beckett and made him so great -- when he came to the Red Sox. We all we heard about injuries we heard about the blisters about the disabled list. We heard about shouldered MRI and shoulder that didn't allow him again -- Insurance on Neitzel. And though knowing all of that. Josh Beckett has become the poster boy for the entire organization when it comes to work you know between starts. In staying healthy pace and so because he's driven by. All of all the pass. Injury history and sell all that that's why -- here yesterday and were -- Josh -- But without Josh Beckett. And that's testament -- we we we put that pot in the back rest people realistic for read a security blanket. For the -- to a certain. -- I think you're right back at the talked about it starting Tuesday against New York is a good sign I have been convinced the last couple of years here. That this organization intentionally built in vacations for starting. As if I mean it's as and that you know when Clay Buchholz as the fingernail problem and it up the L for you know fifteen days. They were just looking that is the perfect opportunity to show up this guy down with Daisuke earlier this year and I Tim Wakefield is on the deal of the moment. So I think that assuming that they keep holding -- of the playoff position all lat. Actually wouldn't mind -- well you know I agree with you I mean this is clearly won their strategies and they did it waited. Back to a certain degree couple times a game a couple of extra days. Lester they -- around the All-Star break the ice skated -- it where he went on the disabled list. And come by in this case. Back as. That is -- Beckett has had enough time scale back -- innings whether it's the beginning of the year spring training and during the season are ready. I don't think that's one of these days yet you don't mind so much but they want to -- Josh Beckett start pitching well Bob -- and everything else though. Epic -- on the line now if he's pitching pretty well gets back -- track. And team the -- the end of September you might extra days -- then because you're absolutely right I think is one of the great things they've been able they've learned a lesson last year. Regarding Schilling and back is that you guys a little extra refs so they can be ready when account that paid off last year. I heard -- earlier today when he was on at that with the guys filling in -- season and elder in and Joe Hagerty were talking to -- And any but it perfectly when he said I've given up trying to figure out -- game.

To -- and and and I agree with them I've given up figuring it out as well Michael I have this discussion point all the time where we say. You know you're not allowed to say what you took out this that he can't really. And and you know if you took out walks Daisuke it would be unbelievable -- it did okay. He walked five he struck out six last ninety to a 105 pitches through five innings. He's also fifteen in two with a -- RA of two point 72. And a batting average against in the in the low 200 personally -- and and batting average against with the bases loaded is point zero zero zero. It's the weirdest pitching line you'll ever see when ever he works. And yet the end result always seems to be the right thing.

That's Jeff Goldberg Hartford current that you with a W and -- you know yeah it's it's it is is bizarre and the numbers are -- everybody who says okay. Accused in Daisuke well all the numbers at you recited. Anyway it would take that. Now he -- so dramatically improved overall a year ago but his ERA it's almost two less than it was accurate -- that guy is fifty minutes and he's we're in reason winning these games. But it on the outside isn't what a lot of people point to is that okay. Five innings six innings at the most and is that going to get the job done in the -- Enron and some people call nitpicking but this is all part of the equation if you're going to be if you get praise him for the positive you have to pray you have to criticize him. For the stuff is going to be tangible effect in the in post season if they get there -- need him to go five innings or five innings in six innings. It's like you said dale as the weirdest weirdest -- statistical line I've seen a long time in. And you know I was talking to Mike Adams last night and he's all all you thought they throw -- they'll take Daisuke number two I'm sorry no. Now I. Josh Beckett is is still slot in there and in the you know what. I want to see more Daisuke throw strikes getting deeper in the game before I have full confidence that is this is going to translate into the post season as. I don't know about you -- But I think -- over -- 414 with a bases loaded and just wait for that one what's like Terry was joking after the game last night he said he should just. Walked the bases loaded to start. You know and and because that he just start pitching it seemed you know and I think that. If you talk to John Farrell he try to identify what's going on here I think that the basic form is is that he just doesn't event. He says okay you know I'll lock you up up what you want because I know I've good enough stuff to get you -- the next at bat well thanks to Melvin Mora yet sure. I mean it's it's not clearly it's not -- okay I I'm I'm going to walk the bases loaded because I'm going to get out every time now. But if it if it comes down to throwing the ball down the middle plate. Sport trying to hit the corner Daisuke is going to try to hit the corner every time it drive assault not to drive that the pitch count limits and innings but. You know it works to a certain extent didn't he come from Japan with a reputation of being one of those guys who -- warm up over gum -- you know that that his control was superb. In other words this isn't that he can't throw strikes get that he it's that he won't. And I don't know it's if it's the Europe Major League hitters being so much better than they weren't Japan. It seems to me that it's more won't throw and can't throw for helping you know what a big part of it is is it in Japan is part of the culture and answer in the sense that. They don't say they don't -- decline. It opens to caught that we did catch phrase it where all using now. But they'd go for the corners more. More than they do here and I think he's actually improve that and other arrowhead this so quiet and you don't keep -- this strike outs are way down from last night because eats he's understood. I -- guys who can make a few plays here and but you know and India has gotten better at that and they drill that into its head. But still as the results show is not the probably where they would like to -- you mean they want him to be going to make -- information that Jon Lester made to a certain degree but. It in Japan again this is this and the culture and there's a lot of things he would -- that we all chronicle what. It's its evolution from last year and is no question about it but when you have a Japanese right zone that's bigger. And you have a pitching culture that says okay go for the corners instead the Oregon middle plate and you've done your whole life. That's that's not -- turnaround overnight. But as you said I think he's got a lot better in that respect is paid off. He says he said -- 215. In two with a two point seven something ERA and -- most pitchers in this game would kill for those two number you know right now I got its thirtieth win last night with the Red Sox and and that surpassed the Japanese record for most wins after two seasons surpassing dale Nomo. And it that that stat itself but that back. Makes you stop and think we can criticize Daisuke all we want and we can nitpick and we Tuesday while he -- he doesn't it's contact enough so forth and so one. But in and for the most part there's been a pretty good investment for the Boston red. What's up with Jason bear attack. Left him at home runs back to back games I'm crushed double to right center field that was right -- but right you know crushed double to right center field last night. He says. He's his own worst enemy he complicates things too much. You know he gets himself all tied up the Nazis trying to simplify things. Is a disease is that. Outlawed via the what was going on -- all lot of respects him. And you know it was a it was a combination of things for Jason merit -- is no question about it they if you look at the whole package in terms of what used dealing with. On and off the field in the first half and and leading in July. There's a lot of stuff going on one of them which is being set and losing weight and in losing -- swing in. And no knows if he's going to get it back in I don't know in the bit in other words back in time ago in a run here and get his average up to the new third you're 35. Where you can start talking about okay Jason very tech. We can start talking about that that contract again because right now you could make an argument for not re sign all you make an argument yeah. You can make a pretty strong argument. A -- handling a pitching staff. Is as good agent is Scott Boras is that's going to be tough sell for three year contract for a DH I don't care who it is and you have to be able to hit someone -- he's still pretty big cats and wrote guy. Not what he was but he's he's he's probably you know better than average in that respect and but eat it but yet you'd have to show that you can't you -- and up the year at 250 you know under in my estimation. You just can't do that and say oh oh and -- Scott boards that know who by the way. You know -- it amazes had to return with the Barry Zito in the Andruw Jones contract for the world. But when you talk about the Red Sox perception thing I don't think they're going to make up by Pittsburgh guy rooting through fifteen under maybe it is gets them going in in and make --

Operator argue for the super agent and the Tampa bay rays just. Don't lose yeah three runs in the -- last night. I mean they've got more guys on the DL then you got that you got that albatross though and September schedule in all and I -- keep saying that it's in I'm not saying it is for a but I gotta be honest. I thought they'd fall apart when they stumbled before the All-Star break. And they came out of the All-Star break with -- all guns blazing. And I then I thought they'd stumble when they started to lose guys and an important guys Evan Longoria Carl Crawford Troy Percival now. But they don't miss a beat.

You know I I know the reds I experienced going hear this but the fact that they have been able. They keep playing well it's kind of fun and certainly good for baseball on baseball knows says well I mean they were pushing for. As many Tampa bay players on the on the All-Star rosters possible they want to promote this whole thing. Now do I think it's going to be close when it's at the end of September although I do I mean I still think the Red Sox going to win the division. But yet baker certainly you earlier in the division certainly in the wild card the way they're playing to be interesting to see what happens the price. The young pitcher in a holiday implement him. Beat at this CF that you get the other guys back see if they can pull something off even before the the waiver claim. Trade deadline. It all is a fun thing and and Joe for made Joe Matta has won them most fascinating manages to dock to the selfish reason for for -- but. He's the guy they implemented Ortiz shift been he has all these kind of funky outlooks on the world of baseball and and usually you know that's all you have -- it went with a team like Campo but now you have that type of guy leading this type of team and.

Kind of a cool thing we'll talk a lot of baseball today the manager of the Red Sox Terry Francona will join us. Just after 12 o'clock is he does every Wednesday rob Bradford from WEEI dot com is here we are. At Oriole Park at Camden yards will be here until 2 o'clock today and then. Took a strictly on and I will continue on tonight without the wrap up -- on Friday mister orange and John race. Will be -- this is well he's just went back to Boston right now and now yet these are these are longer days you know when. When you get here at 8:30 in the morning and -- got here at 11 o'clock -- I sick of looking out on the field but you know I will say one thing if I had just it looked out on a field for about you know sixteen hours or so this is the one this is my favorite apart and I haven't been all on. I haven't -- Seattle. Where San Diego yet but this is my -- he had just don't try to get from the courtyard over here and expect to be anything last half an hour. The future traffic lights around Derek yeah.