8-29-08 Rob Bradford, WEEI.com

We thought we invite to. A buddy rob Bradford from WEEI dot com the slide into the studio and join us for a few minutes here. Iran I don't geragos a little straight entry on the seven best of the big chair right now when it's a lot of fun thank how to get used to it is -- Pete Shepherd find I think -- I'll -- you have got out of -- so fast onto it while laughs hey you've got a piece on WEEI dot com about and that the headline is Beckett go to guy. Ace continues to lean on Andrews in top times. And both Mike and I when we read it this morning independently came up with the thought that you're a little ahead of the curl about this.

Halt play -- yesterday when it was posted in this conversation with him rob must've occurred on Wednesday though. You all or -- Josh was hinting at this long before the team was acknowledging it and so what you know what's the story behind the story.

Well you know. Camping in the news I don't know if that's the right term because it's not all ugly -- it no wait -- a second because you know. What I want to say is that when I'd finished the conversation I had no inkling that he was going to be going down to Birmingham. I still thought he was going to pitch Friday he'd just finished you'd literally just minutes before restocking the rest of the media. Doctor about how he has was going to pitch Friday how it was feeling better how he did pitched. Threw throw fifty pitches the day before and everything with -- line on on target. In terms of how it played out what happened was. Was that we were talking about okay you know you must be getting a lot of advice from different people he was tell on me. You know some some people were trying to -- and cut through them and recommend this and recommend that is invited and he said but I have my guy. And that's when the conversation turned to two is guy which is doctor James -- And he said ever since 2000. When the Florida Marlins doctors basically wanted to have have we have labor and surgery which would drastically changed his career. And that he sought out the second opinion with doctor James theaters in Andrews. He just got along with the right away a lot of respect is not only the fact that he respects him as a doctor. But the way he talked to humbly explained things the way he approached things. And from there he says every single time he had issue with his arm. He was going to reference doctor -- not necessarily go to him not necessarily. Say okay you're the only one amnesty. But he was always going to touched base through them. And that's when -- got into okay. He in allow over the last week starting last Friday when he had a setback in in Toronto. That's when he made the call the doctor enters and he said he basically had been -- for a week.

Ball right -- here's a quote that to -- seem like -- hinting that you know is about to get on a plane. He said he's hesitant to Tom exactly what he thinks he is because he hasn't seen yet. Over the forty gives me some reassurance -- like it doesn't sound like despite can't rule that out. Intel I see it and that's you know all mean not right there I think -- a tip that Beckett was thinking a certain thing in the team. Was thinking another it and and that's again what I want to pound you and and and and has specifically to answer does the team think Josh is healthier than he thinks he has.

I think that is pretty good relationship in terms of what teams thinking what's -- to thinking. You have to understand Mike Reinhold who was working with the Giants. And and relaying the information to the team to two PO into. Terry Francona has a history with doctor doctor -- so if you want to -- got in -- got in between guy. It's Reinhold and I think it's appropriate pretty good communication I can see where you go where this. I can see you say okay well you know bit there identifying that he's going to pitch on Friday even though he's saying did today even though he -- day today I understand that. But I think. That if you look at this -- now he can go down the Birmingham and he could find something dramatically wrong -- his elbow there's no question about they could. But a big part of this and if you read the UF teams quotes you can get this kind of hand to a -- is that. There's a security blanket element that is no question about it and why he has been pocketed his go to guy doctor Andrews over the photo of the last week. It just like you said reading from the group both quotes. To me the one thing I got a -- was that there probably wasn't going to be total peace of mind until he had his guy actually see this thing in -- that in person now again when he goes down a season person. Maybe that's where everything steps up a notch but. Yeah that's that's the inclination idea.

You and our ball from the clubhouse Wednesday when when he was as chatty as I can remember seeing him. And and that led me to believe that he was feeling pretty good about things you know -- much better than I do did you get the same sense he was feeling pretty good about things.

Yeah I mean I think the one thing everyone's kind of raised their eyebrows little bit about with the David day thing give. Over and over data today and you know what but does the reality in whether -- will look into it more than you then did what what he was saying that's fine by -- It's a reality and he understood that. I got again I came away not only with the the other reporters talk I talk to him before briefly before the other reporters got there I listened to when the other reporters are there and then I talked to a for the story after their. And all along the way I came away with the impression that he was feeling good about things and this the thing about bit. That makes me feel like -- the security blanket element is that the priority here. Throughout this whole thing they never sent him home they never sent him away. And the fact that they had him throw fifty pitches a couple days ago. The reds -- very very careful with where their pitchers so if they're going to do that. They probably have an idea that okay it is a day to -- thing but things were progressing and I think as he stood their talk reporters they were.

Progressing well you know and I I I agree with that and that's worth a 1000001 direction that's what I think's going on rob. What is still here that mean you still hear that doctor. And usually the vast majority of time when guys come out of there the news isn't good in terms of short term health you know -- you something's going to happen there aren't and yeah my question would Josh be making this trip. If you felt a 1000% healthy and felt no tingling in no numbers so but I I guess -- the thing is he still filling the same thing throughout the course this week is an.

Well you know I I think that the answer your question now he wouldn't be making this trip if he felt I mean the lefty came on said he isn't a 100%. But you know it's it's it's this how bad does the Fiat IEI don't think that is one of these things where okay. It it was test they've blown up and you have to go down he's going to go down doctor Andrews in. And he's going to and Upton surgery you know that's a thing that's a dangerous thing about as suitors like you said Mike at everybody here's doctor Andrews name. If they think it's a death sentence for the elbow immediately. And what I hope that the story that I wrote couple days ago it shows you at that -- you'll maybe this might be bad and maybe they might find something. But there's a different element to this -- in in the fact that they have a relationship. And that this probably no matter what was happening he wasn't probably going to get peace of mind Philly visit them.

And the byproduct of this whole thing is that he gets one of those little in season vacations but the Red Sox like to build in their starters anyway short he's got a couple mile and now they -- All things being equal I don't think this would be the case why I I I'm not saying it's what they planned but I -- saying of the byproduct of -- as he gets a little rest here.

Right -- you know I I think that the along with the rest along with -- that's making sure everything's are right. The the end game is making sure he can pitch in October I mean that's the booed the big thing here. And -- guys you you know he could come down that -- be be examined right now and he could do they could finalize things interesting thing was. I did ask him if you had an MRI. And he said he had to have an arm MRI which is always kind of strange to me that. That more MRIs aren't given by his explanation with a good one which was no big going to go in bigger give picked good MRI. And -- in. Use a lot of times doctors who aren't familiar -- person. Are alarmed by a Major League pitchers MRI. And how old comedy things are really wrong -- it so you know win doctor enters gives an MRI it's a little different because there is a film familiarity with a little bit more but. The I think again I'll come back down to is that they want to make sure that he'd disguise all right and a big part of that is making sure that he feels he's are right when he pitches a big part of that is seeing dark Brandon.

A guy by the all of agreement of four if you but it got door and say Willie B you know 85 or is this trouble I think we're all leaning towards. This is a reassurance thing and he will be fun we don't know we don't know though I don't -- used to hold your breath whenever you go to Birmingham Alabama and see that guy you algebra well.

Again in this it's due diligence I think you bud you know as as well let me ask you -- I mean -- you have to pick a side is a -- is he okay. Well judging by the fact that he threw fifty pitches the other day and they targeted date I would err on the side saying that it that he's progressing toward that well but yet but all I'm saying is that you know in this in this going down there and making sure everything's okay you never know what's going to crop.

Let me ask you real quick just on yesterday's game while we have you here. All I looked at that pitch that Hideki Okajima threw to Jason Giambi after after a Tito went to Okajima in that situation over masters and and I would not be surprised going forward rob. -- that he's set up guy he bridge got a Papelbon the guy the guy who gives the ball to Papelbon more often than not. Is going to be masters and over Okajima and I think that pitch yes it was that bad.

Well if nothing else -- talk about -- the history with runners on base this year with -- Okajima and and the problems he's had in. It's certainly Okajima hasn't been the -- not even while I mean not out now is that not even close but he certainly hasn't been the guy that he was last year I would agree with -- I think when when it comes down to the final week in terms of the crunch time is I I think it's going to be master says well because not only because he's been successful for the most part knowledge because he has the stuff. But because he he has the personalities are resilient guy who is is very tough minded. And I think that goes along way it was the same way -- with a rookie Jonathan Papelbon when he came up in 2005 team keep -- that a guy. So I I would agree with the diving mask on and a -- in the guy eventually.

and the problem -- had yesterday is none of the three guys that you trust that the back in the bullpen did their jobs yet but I think Okajima what's the big one that's that they going to Q are you guys do -- job is keep the ball down I mean come on you can't. He can't leave a pitch there in that situation. To watch the whole thing --

You are very strange year I mean that's he's had a very strange year in terms of his view inherited runners thing in terms of this being up and down and and all that said you know his contract to instill your outlook -- You know they have a team option on his contract for about a one point 75 result like that. He still pretty good bargain but -- nowhere near the guy it was last yet tell me that -- you're not going to jump ball over the opportunity at the top that -- yeah it's it's a no variety he still. A he had such good years such a huge part of that that eighth inning bridge to Papelbon but. If you're going into the playoffs right now like Mike he says I don't know if I'm really confident he's he's going to be separated -- much more -- Masterson.

Yeah I'm just some people were grumbling yesterday that Okajima got the ball in that spot when Masterson has probably been a little bit better recently we'll see what that's like going forward. Sort of a related question people you were grumbling now they have made my -- the forest hills.

Sports talk about the Illini need and they're problem I'm probably a so but he way to go from there.

What they just ask you all JD -- that Drew situation is in some way. Oh and John mid April to dale so if meters grumbling -- is the true situation related in some way to the -- situation where are. The team is pretty confident he's okay and it's a matter of assuring the player that he's okay as well.

In my development of that I just saw that though he did both him and Sean Casey gone and done doctor -- as well so. It's going to be crowded upper or they are yes so I'll does -- to -- does does it backs up his life but he was. There's an arm alcohol that's the specialty -- If you know there's there's the miserable other people on the practice besides the handers in -- did the Red Sox have a very good relationship with Anders or Jenny Jones now going to doctors and that's why it that's what a -- ESPN -- walk out so they charge Casey with a -- to so. Hum again they have he's going to goto yeah that's that's the -- is to stand so. It's if your question he it's I you know JD Jews he went through me exactly documented. -- history oh oh where it now where -- start in 2003 but how progressed starting when he yet describes himself from Japan. The exact sort of injury was and how to -- the deal everything else you can do you want but you know this is -- this is is. I EC walking around in and he's he's hurt -- play so what are you going to do. I'm -- body NC Mike. Malt ball the question was does the team feel that the player needs to be readership reassured that he's -- Well yeah RB of course BF courses of the player -- to feel like you've got to be able play. But that doesn't mean if he if he cared if he had a hard time getting dressed in front of his locker then he probably doesn't it doesn't matter what the doctors say he probably feels like he he's not ready go --

What are just talking to Terry the other day his home to me was pretty clear that it's okay he's okay he's had a before. He should be able to come back from it -- over the asked him point blank in -- your spine specialist that's that's pretty serious and Francona is direct quote was I don't mean to downplay it but it's not. You -- reassure the player in the team that everything's okay inside that's. I just took. He is answers to those questions in the finale of -- that. The team thinks that it Drew will and should be okay.

I think I think that's the tone yeah they showed the I think they do you feel like he's going to be okay so your question should doesn't mean he's ready to your question should be excited let's write the question should be do you think that J. D. Drew is out for the year now what did the question is does J. D. -- need to be assured that he's. That he's going to be okay fine okay yes yes the answer is yes. He knows he's not okay now but that that this isn't a serious. You know like threatening back injury type of yes career threatening yeah yeah I think I'd I'd wait I think he's he's as we sit here right now he's optimistic that is going to be and the team is obviously optimistic that is going to be something where he's going to come back and play in what do you think it and you have to -- anything to admit you toss that out and play -- authorized the or -- it. I think he comes back I think comes back and play. I actually I'm pretty confident that he doesn't last because -- doctor Rangers and just like I expected they find something that someone else confined in and then okay you know that's a lot more serious than we thought. Is is Beckett seeing Andrews today. I think so probably so yeah crowded down there and the erratically will be back on whatever charter they've got him on even later in the day that. Yeah yeah RBI I don't know that timetable but. It's a fascinating place down there it's it's you can actually I know that the Red Sox have gone down their before. -- made reference to mean Delcarmen back when he was in the minors he would Tommy John surgery. And they actually let pupil from the front office witness the asserted have a viewing room in. It's it's a fast and he places and like I said they'd do the -- I do have a good relationship with the Rangers and there's of the light frosts in aren't impacted for from the organization. WEEI dot com is -- can read rob Bradford -- it's their right not to like the opportunity. Rob we appreciate top guys enjoy the rest of the day they lost rob Bradford joining --