10-09-08 Andy Freed, Tampa Rays Broadcaster

Joining us right now is yet another product. From the factory play by play announcers in Major League Baseball if you're young play by play announcer out there. And you write me a letter and you say how to like make it to the major leagues I'm just going to tell you go to Pawtucket. You go to Pawtucket he worked for the pos knocks your gold of the major leagues this guy yet took that route as well he's now the voice of the Tampa bay rays. Andy -- is on the line -- paid on.

What are you Greg's a little bit harder it got real quiet here. On -- your little better. But it was perfect -- out ultimately picked up at super quiet.

Hopefully we can make an adjustment in our -- to make things easier for -- and -- Are all we're doing great thank you and as as I mentioned -- one of the longest line of Major League announcers who have gone through Pawtucket. And everybody has gone to protect it seems like.

Well I can't think -- more coincidence that it held there -- some -- very good broadcaster ticket marketplaces and I was -- at least for eleven years of my last stop was -- without actually going to -- prologue time. It's been more time in double editor assistant equity they're double it was in Trenton ties and five years in -- in four years of the pocket and fortunately things have worked out his it's it's good time to do with the -- and of that.

What Andy you probably know the Red Sox as well as anybody based on your experience in we and we know. You know the rays as well as anybody's body through the series playing out.

Well I at this whole season's series figured out it would take another twist and turn I really felt the -- this would be the best match up. -- not go on the White Sox would be fatal but it just in terms of problems that they were so many games during the regular season but it felt like playoff games in particular those last two. At Adelaide last month but. It will be very hard for me. To predict what could happen and and obviously the Red Sox have the experience factor which. I think it's immeasurable. Expect you when you play teams that have been through October before. Playing the Tigers in 7 was very different planet and it was interpreted that October -- White Sox in sick much it was much different kind of little five. After they've been -- on October. These just figure out ways how to win and Betemit would give -- the Red Sox slight edge but. It is the -- think it -- the race don't even have a really good team MVP. Jason Bartlett wanted pretty deep sense and probably well deserved but you can in about ten guys that can beat you missed it was the same way. There's a division series it was a one god help lead the way it was whole team. And I just I can't imagine this series being short.

Who's the ace of the staff.

Jake shields to be and it's I was on the Angels. Network the other day and the exit through which one it started game one -- shields -- we want to start against separates potential visit would you like -- another -- It's an extension. To beat the best pitcher on our -- beat the best big game pitcher on our staff. He's probably the bloodiest pitcher -- that happened to -- is the best pitcher arena.

So what happened to Scott Kazmir I mean we always thought you know Boston Scott Kazmir if the -- ever did anything. You know. With any degree of success that Scott Kazmir will be lead the charge would happen.

Well look at some Benard is obviously a very very big part of this stat but he really hasn't been a consistent the last couple months I've been. You guys saw his first start after being in the deal for people -- persevere against the Red Sox didn't go well but he reeled off the street about ten in a row. There were so dominant that it looks it would start to look dusty -- I was every bit as good. This year than he was the second apple Leicester which tremendous. And Denny got the point where it's pitched country so high. But it hit fitting that he was we're fortunate he was lasting five innings because of the quote he -- go six having to Belichick up more than you expected it is Connecticut children's have been there. He's been consistently inconsistent and he had a really rough start against the Red Sox down the stretch turnaround and -- excellent start after that includes -- The playoff spot against the twins make it Beckett the Tigers gave up four more home runs its start in the division series against the White Sox. Was brutal over the first two weddings and many figured it out. It was very good -- six so it's it's hard to figure out what you're gonna go with -- and it's that lack of consistency that to beat. Gives -- to James Shields in terms of the better pitcher but interpret ice feeling. Garrett has his eyes and.

You know when last we saw Kazmir we meaning Red Sox fans when last we saw him. He looked like he wanted out the Red Sox were knocking him around the trop and he's looking into the dugout like -- I got nothing here come and get me house his mental makeup.

Mental makeup was OK I just think that there have been times but I don't know if distraction Spirit world what he's thinking about other things for example. You know it's like if you're a basketball player to shoot the free throw or you're injured sit they're gonna hurt my elbow has to be here and my legs have to be slightly but yeah that's what he's -- about. And he -- to build more side to side. On the rubber band front the better back defraud. Which is what he what we do want stepping towards home plate and he gets so confined in his mind of of what MI doing mechanically that it had been a distraction for -- And we saw it I mean we saw the ball just and they went in against -- a -- I think that they kept in minute. Was ready to -- he was. Pitching very well and what but he does give a -- was walking guys can hit the leadoff batter. That that. Opposite each are ready you only gave up two runs. I think he realized what I've been brutal right in this game and for whatever reason it seemed calm him down and he was very very good after that.

If -- over 175. The amount of times. Out of outside the box will be used next to Joe Madden has name -- in the over. Most people. I casual fans think of Joe Madden walking Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded because it -- pitched -- But is he really if you that guy all the timer how would you describe them because I've felt like that description is pretty superficial.

government had a a more consistent human being in my life terms of -- And it's not just win or lose its moments were you know he's been frustrated that he's able that. Not just put a smile on a protest because St. I love the fact that you we interview Gregory peck and he's just he's stage show and it. Every day you know exactly you're gonna get -- and -- just about one person to be around but I really think if you look at even reported on correctly the first couple of years and it was reported on does this kind of west coast guy with the -- glasses -- drinks wanted to listen mister. Our audience Springsteen and the stones and that's just -- the mix of music. Joe Magnus from -- open PA is as hard scrabble a blue collar guys you could possibly. And not only that is incredibly intelligent. And you know to meet what makes it really special is that -- beat you bureau a lot of managers or coaches in this game. And he sees some some of them are insecure especially in their early early times of magic. And yet there's the guy who would never gonna Major League manager he'd only been an interim manager pretty Agile and Terry Collins was an editor has passed over in Anaheim was Scioscia got the job. It was passed over in -- went Terry Francona got the job. But you don't every possible role would you could match player's scalp. Coach bench coach base coach bullpen coach. Minor league roving hitting instructor everything. And when he got to the Major League it was so secure in that he could do the job. There was never a moment did you get any sense of insecurity for Beckett never -- he doesn't mind -- second guessing him. To me I think it has a very rare commodity and that's because I think he's just he just had -- inner confidence but it doesn't get chicken -- even if he makes a move that it is. Unconventional. Move -- there's preparation behind it. And whether it works or not he felt like it's the right move. You consecutive -- line when he dedicated secure about it exploit what you did it and you just move on it and and on top that really is just like about it persevere.

Talking to -- voice of the Tampa bay rays Indian your opinion. Will Troy Percival be on the playoff roster.

What -- real -- that I still don't know Troy said that that he's feeling better that you know beepers and instructional league games well we're in Chicago. One thing that I I was very happy about it just happened be privy to meeting. We're Baltimore with Troy and -- And look good guys go back a long way every joke goes -- the times but he was catcher you know before it was converted into a pitcher. So they have a very long and very trustworthy relationship. And the conversation basically went as -- accurate if you feel you can help -- I trust you. And you're on the team Q if you don't feel you can help us I needed that to -- because we need a roster spot and that was everything right they needed help. Joe is it is very got used to drove Edward loquacious with the media mean he can be very talkative. Always is good answers a one time this year that I saw on the short answer was well -- your New York certain industries and and there are lots of speculation going on about well Tokyo's vision clouded because of his friendship with Percival and -- the writers says visitor teachers that are affected maybe your vision. It's a little bit and he said also. That was just one word answers that Ellis -- needed no I think it just comes out of the fact it is. If Troy and I don't think he could help the team needs on it it's not that he's not and -- a about a suppose that.

We've seen the footage hundreds of times now James Shields versus Coco Crisp in the -- Carl Crawford running in -- Kasey running and is is there anything lingering. From what you can tell. In the Tampa clubhouse toward the guys in Boston and how they feel about the Red Sox.

I don't think Sullivan I'd I'd think Cliff -- quote was true the other day which was you don't feel like -- alike and I think that goes much more towards the competitive Spirit and towards everything. Personal I mean -- I think there's going to be knocked down in this series absolutely. Unless the situation warrants get -- don't think that it wouldn't at least to the races but it got its start something certainly in this situation but I do think. As -- as we've seen from them throughout the year whether it be that all -- the Red Sox broke the Yankees in spring training. You'll respond as they feel is appropriate so it's something would get started -- topic -- shy away from. Well if there's anything lingering from. That back. I think it was pretty much consensus Coco Crisp went wrong in the week -- able -- I think his teammates spoke volumes by not coming -- just dispensed. And I think it was a pretty despicable moment but I think it's old news at this point. They beat two teams it is trying to should be the first to get the four wins and as tightly competitive as it's been this year on -- under -- looking for -- desperate on I think there. The competition itself will take -- all that.

Everything pennant you really think his teammates felt like he was -- I don't think that.

What do I absolutely do. Not a -- not a -- really quickly came to his defense I thought the fact that not a from rushed it -- defense initially -- all rated. At first. And he sold in current tuition in the winter from moment to be able to --

Maybe maybe the -- changed that would Crawford came in from it got their pretty fast do. As fast as the guy who had a chance to play -- division one college football gift from left field he got there. What you started once he started -- on those cheap shot that the the Red Sox probably changed the mentality.

Probably is Dan Wheeler up to the task of being the closer for a championship caliber team.

I think so well the one thing that makes me you are question that I have not talked to Joe since. And specific about it since the end of the in the second inning with. With Graham bell for game four that was a little different from the way he's been doing -- throughout the year. We're going to keep actually managed -- the way he had throughout the year until that ninth inning of -- Chicago in other words he had. But this time it's time went 51 department to third. Brought -- into work directed at six and all the seventh via belt already -- normally you'd been. Bringing -- Wheeler of the night but he left print out their for the second inning and I don't know if that would just curious myself to despite that we in my. -- work at I don't think they're hesitant to use Wheeler in that situation. But I do think it really like the energy -- belt corporate team. -- closer by committee. I can certainly. Concerned would backfire and fortunately for the race they really have been able to do it this year it -- Percival hasn't. Able to close games we've -- everyone from Jason Hammel took. Two billion -- to -- consult or belfry -- closeout games but by and large. It and have become the situation moment -- usually. For the match ups coming up and another type pitcher question I think of situation calls for Dan Wheeler epic victory president to do it but I don't think -- lock. Magnetic. Regardless.

You know I've heard a lot of series -- on why there weren't a lot of people coming to the truck. For -- games and and one theory was. The fans didn't trust this team they've they've seen so much losing over the years. They wanted they wanted they wanted to -- to prove it another theory is that a lot of people on fixed income they couldn't afford the games. Another periods at the park just stinks. What what do you think I mean -- I think it's a non issue right now because I'm sure they'll be a lot of people there for game one but why was it's such a struggle to get fans into the dropped.

My take on it is is correctly from my experience in the minor league in knowing kind of the match and he's so tickets and -- it. If you don't have a large season ticket base in ten years of this Richard being about as Cutley -- actors. Really -- four a low season ticket base when you don't have that. And and don't really know truly what the numbers are but it decided that it'd probably somewhere that they beat the 60000 ranged throughout coming into this season that. You've basically got to sell tickets wanted to I mean you've got to legal groups you've got to legal to walk up. And the fact that the rates were able gets a bigger crowd control one point eight million people Tropicana Field this year. After really rough crowds in the beginning and then -- get packed and over 30000 on the nightly basis down the stretch. To meet spoke volumes about how did this and beach will be wanted to root for this team. It's true measure it's going to be what the season ticket -- next year I would hope I would expect that it would go up. But significant amount if it doesn't then I think that's -- and there's questions to be answered but I I think it's going to. I mean beat these playoff games are sold out in less than an hour. And again -- Church we -- routinely get a crowd of 30000 plus in place that actually about 36 so I think a lot of -- kind of old news at this point. It only came back to the airport. After winning the division and sold that and there is about 2000 people at the airports screaming and yelling -- mobile we got off the point. That sold me finally the fact that not only is this baseball market can be very good baseball market this protester to would have million in its first year and went down every year. For all sorts of reasons but have been multiple tickets and paces back -- it doesn't improve viola -- I'll pick. I -- do with the ball park kind of academic and the to what location. I think the one thing that strange about our market is that. -- in most markets -- beat Boston New York wherever. You have one Giants city and others other smaller suburbs around it here. You've got one large city apparently that is negated a little less large -- Petersburg which were the ballpark -- but he got Lowell to smaller towns that you need to lead on the beaten. Sarasota Bradenton. Clear water a lot of the spring training site -- And I think it didn't. And it makes for a little different era of the market and our plan for a team you've got to draw people and from that far away so I think that that can be a challenge for the ritual at the could be. That stretch here -- people come to games I think Timmy Thomas Tibet issue.

With a young team in this my final question with a young team as the rays are. Hottest John Madden fight that that creeping thought in the back of a player's mind well were already further than anybody ever thought we'd ever be in invalid. We we'd like to win we hope we win but man it's been a great year no matter what.

Look at this like the end of but the twins took the lead -- that you know at 87 twins team that. That it would have World Series and win it all home games. During the postseason -- you know we're young but we're not as young as you think. I think Percival and Wheeler and Miller. And Cliff Floyd and Eric Hinske guys that have been through well situations before has just been so big. Produced E that you could put it statistical the other -- can never -- around attempt. Of young players that are able bounce back after losses to -- that that series in Boston. Proved everything that was our last -- Republic we -- everything that it had been asked that -- this year that but it we hope for we didn't want to -- Fenway Park and we lost that first game with a good mystery shopping. That projected to twelve to. Not well enough. As it turned out -- and and the rate relievers shut down effect became -- in his next two nights proved to everybody at the resilience of this team. Took at least they have all the in the red rubber balls and we can't all. All throughout the year so -- they expect to make 83 loss at Chicago are very typical atmosphere every bit as difficult really spent my adult. Are you there at the blackout conditions on the Chicago everybody weren't black Church whatever the White House that it while the ballpark as there is in the American League and a gracious one out. Play better baseball -- for whatever reason variable that. Pigeon hole there they're stressed. And attention to channel it towards of untouchable levels side that that to meet. And it all I needed to see it turns it this team automatically tighten the policy can equated to -- I would have thought that deeply looser the policies and they did in the last week of the regular season.

So what I'm hearing you say Andy is. Raise in seven.

I should be not to try to predict this series and kept it. I I don't know I could see it going so many different ways but I didn't think that the -- really need to totally just win one or reload -- like to see them win both games are Tropicana. Because -- that's basically were swept twice it's certainly part this year it would to a three the last time that. I think going into -- even at 11 tie I think it's much tougher obviously gone up 2 and knowing you're at minimum it will come back well.

And we appreciate time thank you very much we'll see as the series goes on. B I think ahead and take care and -- freed as the voice of the Tampa bay rays.