Larry Lucchino, Red Sox Pres/CEO

As we said -- Red Sox will launch the general ticket sales up for the 2009 regular season games. At 10 AM tomorrow. Saturday January 24 joining us on the line right now is the president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox. Larry Lucchino -- Larry I don't. So they know Michael. Larry what's gone on hi --

Much like it was only recently that I realized that we can't carry it kinda Pittsburg connection you went to the Harvard at Pittsburgh.

That's right now that I actually I would say that. Harbor is the is the point part -- I. They got the better way it might.

It -- that stuff by others but I'm from Pittsburgh. And I and I delivered boxes side so I -- that there is a user's modicum of distinction between -- of -- said Monica.

They're they're they're not at all -- Point Park University deli in bank is highlight that. My apartment as a like that's quite them my -- come -- way it's a beautiful campus. It we were -- we know at the campuses. Now the Oscars and that's that the campus is that boulevard boulevard.

The -- parking place red front.

Exactly we were out we aren't Fenway Park maybe three or four weeks ago. We where we were having lunch with -- your manager Terry Francona and completing at a contest that we have run during the course of the summer. And as I looked around I went my husband just blow this place up every off season. I look at in their now.

Well it's if people thought now they would be done because it's. It is it's it's prom its low point in terms of demolition. Where we are waterproofing 1912 bowl. That's something that -- able. The ballpark to -- have -- span of 3040 more years. At least at least that's structural engineers sent them. Architecture telling us and -- so right now and it doesn't work a bit of a war zone but the remarkable thing is that Corey. The last if this in the eight years we have. Been able to squeeze as much humanly possible in in the offseason from October and the ideally. To work early April. The old cliche about work expansive meet the time all opted. I think that applies -- we have certain fixed up upon audit. And the great workers we have worked on this ballpark and extraordinary -- year. Getting and they task completed. Now we're worried about the ninth inning now the -- that we improvement. Project. So we concede the light in the tunnel here but I think people will be. Pleasantly surprised that the I suspect that the longevity in the ballpark without -- four years and and also the in the seat on the right field line. That are being created this year so all those seats sit attack will be. There are. To mention. There's this -- it's not all Red Sox tickets are unavailable. Hard. If not impossible to get them. Well -- 10 AM tomorrow and going for several weeks. And and all probably get tickets that Red -- dot com on. On -- that I -- ticket office and buy tickets and when that simple and now tickets. Available for sale so flexible about the date the opponent. The --

I know those tickets to go on sale tomorrow Larry I'm looking for a behind the music type version of events here from you. Regarding the decision not to raise prices. Well from 2008. What happened how long did that discussion go on and and really what was the reason. He kept those prices that oh -- that's always numbers.

Well it was a decision that was made in. October November there was plenty of discussion. John very -- partner and myself are tired of profits. Particular people involved ticket sales operations. Actively. And on as we do their review trying to make it currently. Decision on on those matters so we can. And the solid seasons for as long as possible and other fans know what the prices -- the this year the the economic the -- collect. Memorial was probably. Opposite and it's at its worst. -- but instead it was pretty severe. And having -- ticket prices as the Red Sox -- for fourteen consecutive years this scene a good time. Opted decent we have pretty high ticket prices to -- would get that back -- Props so you know we debated internally or -- or. In favor of -- Some small increase because that. Seemed appropriate at certain categories. But instead you know we. We took a simple approach across the board and have a complete freeze on all ticket prices at all levels for all customers. And that does loyalty it was a two way street -- one expert. We used our discussions. Our fans have been very fair to us. --

Severe economic uncertainty that the at least instability. They might be a good idea for restoration -- some loyalty to.

You know there I'm gonna go back to a previous statement you said it's a myth that some people think that that Red Sox tickets are available and I don't doubt that. That there are tons of tickets available as you said but here's a problem. And I've done is he gonna Red Sox -- come get and one of those waiting rooms. You have a lot of fans and a lot of people are going to be there at. Channel one in ten attitude tomorrow. And and the frustrating thing is. Everybody's trying to get tickets at the same time so it does feel like it's impossible to get because there's so much competition have you guys put anything in place that to make that. A more pleasant experience for fans were trying to get tickets on line.

Well but you're just you're right about that historically that has been a problem and you work on have worked on it every year this year will his in the in tickets system in place. And we hope that that's that expedite ticket process itself short time frame time collapsed on people try to buy tickets. And now we've we tried to work with mlb.com. To expand the size of the pipes. To which all these requests flow and but I think it's it's it's wise to warn people -- call it. And oh oh -- Tomorrow -- likely experience a utley is one tries to jump the and so is the but we will do more out of we have two more -- system. We think it things will be better but it will not be perfect. And experiencing some ways I think part of part of the process -- is calling. Early on but we're well aware of it. And again the system and I'll be. To. Why the pipes try to -- war. Ticket request process. --

talk about the team that those lucky ticket holders will be watching on the field other than the catcher position and we understand that that's up in the air. Do you think that that the offseason for the red Sox baseball ops people is pretty much done now.

Well what the arbitration. We're completed. I think it's largely. I think you know it did it worked so hard baseball operations. Would would. Denies that there work is done I think they would. The pitching situation that you mention there earlier needs to. Needs further attention. And now and there are always some things that popped -- An invitation spring training for -- on helped the issue. -- the the work really is that is not done until. But he did it. People can't. But he is largely I think that people who are going to be. Buying tickets and Arlen thereby on the and that are buying them by its own -- on the ticket office. What they are buying tickets for me. Product that seems quite intrigue at this point. Team that -- the seventh game ALCS. Last year but nonetheless. As has sort of some significant. Bases. This year many youthful have significant upside possibilities. So I think our -- going to be quite intriguing to -- possibilities. It is even before the race --

What are the chances that your fans will see their captain back behind the plate next year.

Well that's okay yeah ongoing. Discussion. More appropriate to private communications. Blasting across the on the radio waves so law. I think it. Or. We we know that we have in. It is -- this contributed mightily. Of course all of career. With the and deserves. Every chance to. Comeback perform -- that. Is that it definitely. Years.

Other analysts Point Park University you'd think. Brilliant academic institution. I would look for any young person in America to go there when I say stop -- What comes to --

Free association yeah yeah. A dark black trench coat.

A very well that this doubled and there ever got. It's tough because we have heard the stories about the Teixeira negotiations. And --

You know he makes you think that you're negotiating in good baseball long term it's in his client.

The Yankees. It is it is tough not to take that personally. And tried. To get them back mean. Thinks they yeah we get back.

You know the if what seeded tougher is is to abide by Tom and to -- not. Go on some kind -- well. Public and grow. Statement about. Negotiations that are passed. What do you areas of -- talk about the past and future and it's. And I'd just on the we will turned the page. Internally. And remember of course almost stuff goes and our. Bank. But I don't think it's appropriate to -- here by innermost feelings about of course that negotiation and and negotiations.

That that's fair enough but how about this let me -- use and in this is a dilemma for you unsure or are you guys not -- you personally. Boris does something like that which is this pretty bush league. Yet you have guys. On your team that you care about those bigger players. And you have to negotiate with him again. How how does that work you do you excuse yourself. In and turn it over to somebody else who has less experience with Boris because you know Jason Varitek. He's a Scott Boras guy and I'm sure you -- a lot of respect for Rivera to act in if you want Varitek to come back somehow you have to go through books.

Well there the directors of the -- many try to beat each player. -- as an individual. Cases individual matter what you don't want to do. Have. The since if you will and quotes of one negotiation. Area over and victimized. And other hard is that sometimes maybe. So -- You know -- act and dwell on the past. We on. DO and the baseball operations Steve. Making every effort to sign as many players sign. Fair salaries their prices. And bad. We have to do. We don't. -- right to to pick and choose on eight that the players. Have for --

How important was it from both of baseball on a business perspective. To get Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis signed to long term deals in this off season.

If you'd actually write about it being hit two for dale it was it's. Certainly is intelligent baseball. Decision. Given the the relative -- and productivity of those players and character. Personalities. -- The leadership that they provide. Stability that they provide from a baseball point of view it was -- strike but -- metaphor. But that also from the business side of things the public relations. And again. Fans -- can can derive from that -- message about the type of player. That type of personality. Of these these.

Players that we wanted to be year round want to build this team. All of our players exactly. Like the to -- now. In itself wonderful just as they all time that. -- After alone grow your own side your own and keep -- And that's the that's. -- secret. Formula. How to build. Sustainable. Quality can't pitch at baseball games. And that's I think what we've done here and let them do so operating -- is.

Well before we let you guys I gotta tell you themselves talk and Gerry Callahan and he just so excited about. President Obama he was. I -- he consider taking the day off just -- Obama. I in his presidency -- wondering if you went to went to the inauguration. And you're very political. Interest in politics or what did you think of the inauguration day.

I was I I was. Very emotional throughout the tired -- I did not go to this one but I -- just about every gold and about it. I was. The Spirit of Obama's new bipartisanship. I won't. Combat what I think -- political position and the knuckle dragging what we want you to the guys I'd be a part of that and I just couldn't do it and telling him. But I think -- the heats and semi open -- quality again that's not likely but if he keeps a semi open mind I think he lost the they this is. This is a great. -- agree that all America. It's America the way it was supposed to be the latest supposed to. I'm partially very excited about it you'd be excited about it democratic republic and Independent. Wherever you are this is -- A great opportunity.

Fixated. -- that -- I -- about it.

You're Democrat Republicans got Boris and I --

There you go ahead and but it is yeah. The yellow they accurately you guys have with that you just that further reminded of the fans that they're probably -- Several 100000 tickets available to be purchased. Starting at tomorrow --

And again and he can do would have direct expect Tom. -- I don't think so. That's their. And then of course -- fashioned way come Monday when the ticket office is open from and -- every day. People commit thereby I think it's that way. Well -- some lottery is coming and February. For opening day. Tickets. Green monster seats if that's accurate it is wired this can be should. We do those. Categories by -- on. Tomorrow it there are plenty of tickets for very intriguing exciting. These policies and uses it they started start and flows in most kindest it will pose almost as. And that's of course that's the trucks had been hit hit on the road to or aren't going to.

Are we appreciate time will see downer. Take care where Larry Lucchino is the president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox got tickets on sale tomorrow 10 AM Red Sox dot com. If you require accessible seating. You can call 877 Red Sox nine. I'm hearing impaired fans can call the Red Sox TTY line at 6172266644. That's 226. 66 for full. I'm Larry Lucchino joined us on the eighteenth -- hotline AT&T your world delivered.