10-1-08 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 AT&T hotline is Terry Francona Terry has also brought to you by. On the insurance. Interest systems and doctor Robert Leonard at 1800 get -- good morning Terry. How are. The only way we catch you before you get to the ballpark is we gonna do when you're in Anaheim. Do that is about the only time it happened all year.

And not mature and Anaheim and the see the regular season is over can you tell us when you started thinking about. The Angels as a playoff opponent at most anybody else.

We try taken me -- here is built on the -- stay in the moment. And player listeners. -- that the -- anti climactic but it didn't. Much. Opportunity scheduled to you know solid play of the game reflect on what started don't stop it on -- and then. But in going just a little. Background work to do we double but it. Yesterday. And bought a five hour meeting after a workout over residuals. -- There wasn't a real need to spend on a time. As time to totaling do we beat old old and it didn't want to -- some things -- part of my own mind. He's ready and ready for that -- like I guess it was a lot circle over.

And when it came down to the -- you almost had a lottery ticket chance of winning the AL east. If Tampa completely collapsed -- you won the rest of your games you when it did that cross your minor did you think to yourself is this is so improbable we just got to focus on not getting.

Well I've actually it was about a week ago I think I was going to hold out hope that goal maybe we could pass them. Still what was left up to the other team to have to lose it didn't triggered their mercy but I I you know we've seen weirder things happen. But Denny you know based think for us once recognizing. The PR war against those and trying to -- our house in order. And that on the back of situation came up. -- pretty clear which direction at least in our oral ballclub the way we needed to go. Wait Tampa -- play deal that's up to doubt -- if they want to lost and I around okay great but we need to get our house or.

Situations are different obviously I'm Mike Scioscia not only has been able to talk about his his roster he's actually posted his lineup for tonight already. You've had a lot more questions that you had to answer have you answered them sufficiently in your mind at this point.

Well I don't want but I can't do more and I apologize to go -- and don't market does the sport because you guys probably hoped. We're not announcing our roster until 10 o'clock out here feels good to do that so little bit -- it'll -- syllables now. A World Series invitation came through with flying colors should I think Mikey Lowell actually do really well. You know because we use and how we play the game. Certainly want to do which -- deploy. I think we wouldn't do that we didn't think you could do it we also recognize he's been through a lot and keep.

You know I was surprised Tito looking at. The rally at Fenway Park and and you guys going. You catch the flight to Anaheim not a surprise to see. Josh Beckett in the traveling party what went to that decision that I thought. If this guy is hurt and or not feeling great why not leave moment and have not ready for game three.

You know that your idea Michaels I haven't. Victory but it mr. point.

No arms and I'm surprised that he traveled. Anaheim since he's going to pitch in in game three.

All's well went on to record or our medical staff here we have our pitching coach here we certainly want monitoring of the year. We it'll get him back and Austin. Didn't seem to make a lot of sense we go to medical people who care all year goes pitching coach myself field that we want to keep on this cute. He's played catch yesterday and -- brought upon us in the long tossed an agent front applause and then -- web -- day. Front laws we can monitoring the preschool world Q.

Is there any chance that he can pitch in game two hours he already -- let's say he's great today. It is they're just not enough time for him if he says I can do gimme the ball right now can be pitching game two.

makes sense you're asking a guy even if he feels physically ready. Which I'm not sure that application yet. He would not satisfied day. That that boat -- and help -- didn't put him at -- physically and you're not put him in the best position. To compete without haven't decided we would ever.

Fact I I even question Terry. Whether you feel comfortable that he's got enough time to get ready the way he normally works between starts for Sunday.

D yeah that's what we're doing this what. I think originally Friday it was a possibility and John Farrell -- kind of or model but it -- this doesn't make sense. -- Don't think have to go right you know he just a -- bounced back everything that scored the topic so far yes it would burn while. Again just expendable Bayern and in law if speckled okay they're both sides if tackles okay there's no reason to pitch not. If something in the meantime. -- in the way. --

One of the things you were asked about yesterday apparently at -- media session had to do with the possibility of playing Michael all at DH. And David Ortiz at first base and you kind of quickly shot that down did you discuss that at all internally.

That's not something I think it is better -- You look at a team that did the Angels -- running game and forcing the issue there's such a huge part of their game. If we play -- all -- we doubled gold Glover. Basically at third first. Second. -- Duncan at short to catch the ball that's a very good deep -- start making -- random changes we have a DH. Play at first base to play first base three times this year. That it doesn't accent it's real quick kick field. I think we're put our our players in a position where they can't beat the best team that steps that's our job.

And he said you're not going to announce any. Lineups or or roster moves that you that your team has made. You know wait for about 45 minutes before becomes official unless we use some type of that I mind trick -- you get an --

Could durable. --

Should look what you -- to this after this so seriously. When it came down to the the playoff roster for this round. What did you wrestle over them the most I'm sure there was position or a player that this is really tough he went back and forth. What what was that thing.

don't Michael it really didn't. I think because of the way we kinda came through yesterday health -- it didn't. Force us to make some most decisions. On different structure guys -- those. Just because. Of debate had to do that. Because things were so there just -- work out we actually sat down -- already talked the polar meant to speak doormat. Until too late last vitals more or or being able to do that. Which makes people rest a little easier didn't those types of things -- Exploit somebody anxiety -- allowed you to do more psyched for the baseball park went to post a couple of.

A year ago in the first round of the playoffs you elected to keep three catchers. On the on the first round roster what went into your decision making process without.

Well it'll lousy too. Political --

That's the -- could element that you want to start a project I.

I applaud double I don't know how to keep work. But. Anyway it it's it's. To put your roster in the best position where they can succeed. If you have a situation where you have speed on your bench to do you. -- experienced catcher allied approach Rondell -- to pinch hit. Things like that. We just try to look at our roster ourselves in the best position. Where we can maximize our roster.

Our Curt Schilling that shot pitcher viewers those on the station earlier. It was earlier this week or last week and he says that. In nine games of the regular season. Really don't matter that much because guys are different October and teams play differently in some guys perform better in some guys perform worse you agree that those nine regular season. Regular season games really have no bearing on what what's going to happen here.

Really shouldn't -- very now the team will play and they want a hundred games. There. That that out Barry but not how we played in past playoff games against these these guys or the way they played against just sheer relief doesn't have. -- They outplayed us on the first day of April we took it to us now focused she's a little while. All things happen in -- not able to setup pitcher your departure opens is on fumes watched games. What school -- play -- We -- the -- 32 in the some all the sudden. Bad it's and they -- base hit there was a lot of close games that went their way. And hopefully get a series like this. We don't do that deepen the bullpen. That early where we can get exposed.

I'm going to do some that you always say when I do but I'd this'll be a little different I think I'm gonna reach a quote that is in today's paper and it's about you. David Ortiz said and I quote. Myself I can tell you Tito gives me tons of confidence there's not one day I don't feel like playing for Tito I can be dying at night. I come to Tito and all I think about is I've got to play for this guy no matter what it's like that. He -- he -- that so I'm telling you I've dealt with some other managers before and I can tell you straight up there a whole bunch of bully.

that you must -- so. That first he's gone and we digital. Equipment.

Gotta keep a pretty good that a guy who's on your team a team leader speaks of you and that --

I didn't but I. Actually bird. I think you. You know as a manager or as a coach. During your first and foremost need to try to win and I think there is a -- That you try to win and I think we've been very open about that in developing relationships. And trust with the players. And then when that happens. You can tell guys -- things sometimes felt hospital want to hear David Burnett situation that we've got -- really honest conversations and and it's been great golf ball away and it helped that I respect a whole lot but we do without a lot of players and I liked that. I like the environment we have in Boston I'd I'd I'd appreciate from players have a lot of respect for. I think it starts to -- and and those guys and I think it's right down our club also -- took a lot of responsibility. We very honest conversations and I think didn't convert about.

He says sometimes yet to tell them things they don't want to hear. Is it the other it does it ever happened the other way around the ever tell you things you don't want to hear.

Sure -- boast but again when you when you develop relationships of trust. It can't just be one side there's a lot of time double -- ask questions and they know format and I want to know the answer. I don't need could be just I don't have to sugarcoat -- jobless took. To be honest in the final -- when they get better and they understand.

Jason Bay has played 771. Major League games in his career tonight he'll play playoff game number one. Have you had a chance that talk to him about how excited he has abolished.

She's really excited you know -- totally. I'm probably more excited now available for. I think it's anything Warriors god almighty. Maybe made it easier. But as far as we -- excited now that we all out assault by out. I mean I was it was it was unbelievable. We got through the Yankee series it was kind of a grind in general all the preparation for the practice cup relics and that we got that player national college transformed it was liked. We landed let's go and it's it's a great feeling and I don't ever want definitely to digital which should. Because we have been fortunate enough of success in the past that should never take away or excitement or -- or were.

And to you know in 2004 and 2007. I think we've all been pretty familiar with that snapshot of the Angels we knew this team was in and -- what they were about what they're trying to accomplish. What does the addition of Teixeira and in Torii Hunter do for a.

That's boat that's the problem. You know everybody knows the way they play a bit pushed and pushed and pushed. But now. That pushing. Comes two guys write the goal line -- want to switch hitter want to right hand hitter that they can plug in front of Latin behind him. Actually -- scared granderson -- second. You know you your -- talk about them but our lineup sickening now. They've done the same -- they've gotten much deeper they still have a lot of speed or only use it but they have some guys couldn't leave the ballpark work counts makes a lot more pictures.

So I get the feeling looking at your lineup. That you've got a team that can play that way as well if you want to.

A complete group and I -- I think we. We have the ability to do some things we haven't been in the past. Our -- first to third in. -- which surface like here like this out and I still kept the ball -- exposed in the outfield. -- I think we shall veritable.

There any surprises. On the playoff roster I mean which I think we get closer now I'm mind we're only.

Yeah like well -- work or really surprised -- who went through it forceful little mom again I I think they don't make sense to open do. On the record the night he -- reasons -- Michael and it would be patient to the roster.

ask you about this in the past I know you well enough at this point to know the answer but for the people listening and when you have those conversations that you had and you gotta tell somebody hey look I'm sorry but we and where we can't -- in this in this round. How tough is that on you emotionally.

it's probably a little bit different forever but. I mean there's been some situations that we get a -- the last -- that it's been in the major leagues for four days I think you happy. He was happy to -- on the playing. It'll sort of there's different. Different conversations for different players. Again regardless of floated just try to be honest don't always feel. Multiple let them know. That digital they'll because the only knowledge you can make changes in the middle serious and that there's always a chance to happen. And that we still appreciate everything they've done in the factory that these conversations -- compliment to them.

to scoop from me. Don't doubt my number part of -- I'm not --

Well it's called back at. If you go back. And after -- did you'll but it can play.

All thank you appreciate it. A final question for me I mean. We all know what Josh Beckett is especially in the post season I mean he's the guy that every manager in baseball with him the ball to in game one we understand that. Closest Jon Leicester to be in the.

want to find out I think we're all excited about it. You know there's a lot of ways to look it is you can you can look at it and -- of employed. Oh boy you know what what could better all this -- Beckett this because he has all that stuff you just that. But our job right now. Isn't to pick apart what's going wrong it's still find ways to win regardless of how to go. So that's -- we're going to do and I can't imagine -- more confidence. If you can't give all the Beckett. Have a guy like Leicester and then -- case it behind me -- Got a hard job is to win this series regardless of what happened or regardless of what goes wrong so that'll -- reluctant to do.

We appreciate time it's always best of -- will tucked in next week. Okay is -- thanks that is -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona brought you -- AT&T. With more bars in more places switch to the wireless network with the best global coverage AT&T. World delivered.