Dale & Holley's Opening Segment

I finally figured it out about halfway through the third quarter last night. The Boston Celtics are really in the midst of an awful terrible winter around here 49 inches of snow so far. Well above what we had last year. In the midst of a terrible awful winter. The Boston Celtics are in fact performing a public service. Because as I looked around at what people used to tease me about what -- league empty yellow seats dale. There are allowing people to. Ease up on the traffic getting out of the building you know get out there on the slushy road ways to make a safe drive home at a decent hour. There they're making its own non competitive now that people can just. -- out of the building. Early in the third halfway through the third quarter and already know what's going to happen.

Rookie with competitive for awhile. Veteran who's if you do I turn it off because you replace him that are you have done it again that. Though microphone -- it. Yeah it was competitive for a while as a matter of fact about 4:5 minutes a morning and I know they got me on in the third but I didn't talk about the first quarter when they didn't miss anything. They just -- you know Sacramento came out and it and it seemed like they had something to prove after lose about 45 points. To the Celtics in the other game each year they play. They shot 6068%. In the first and some that in the first ordered goodness. Are you shoot that in the first quarter. And you still up by 82 point two Horry you know I think Europe by Q. And -- one and we knew full well they weren't going to keep shooting like right now though it was it was just a matter of time but. It was it was a lot of fun watch Eddie House there was thing given -- you know to me and I don't know but the people agree with -- even when the games are not that close than we thought with a lot last year with the Celtics. A lot of blowouts in games over and a second quarter or third quarter and the starters on the bench but even when the games are blow out there is always something from -- to -- So last night it was just watching Eddie House don't want him in the.

And with with Eddie House and we talked about the last week first of all I've never seen anybody get rid of the ball quicker than he does. I mean it is like in and out of his hand in a micro center incredible release for him and every time it leaves his hand. Cameo you've you've got your hands up in the air because here it's like okay splash. And most the time it is now post game press conferences after Celtics games are fun any. I mean we got the whole Superman playing in on the garbage man -- and out last night. The KG show. Was firmly in the Eddie House band wagon contingent.

mossy Chris Paul who -- a little. The spirits and you know he did the other Goran. He needs to be in a three point contest that's what distress Kosovo Paul Pierce Carol Burnett are here to say that we think NL's least give people confidence you concur. -- and questions. Pretty here.

All -- oh Eddie House you know. It's -- The NBA selects the guys from three point contest I don't know how works. Accurately and experience eater but now I just figured out this year. Pretty good shooter come on now -- it's about an arbitrary thing anyway as docked points out lives Scottsdale. In Beantown. You right there is going.

Already knowing how tedious that would mean a free flight to Arizona. And because I think he's going anywhere you have a home there so for and he that's what it would mean other than that I think that the the actual contest to -- his way. But he would absolutely take flight 'cause I think -- lighter -- too. So that would make his day.

To get him home and it is well he's only away. But it it has the league paid -- is his his trip Paul the second understand Eddie House being cheap you know he's been a journey man. Throughout their BA career. You know one year deals year after year after year and played for several team to play for Sacramento. The play for the Bobcats. Used to play for the Suns than that the Celtics and he's been all over the place. I don't -- It would -- them.

And a lot no way he's gone why would they put him in the three point contest. -- why not. -- you know what it part of it is probably their I would guess that the league is a little concerned about. Too much Celtic representation. Or talk about that while they were talking about you've got obviously got off starter. You're gonna get at least two other players Chris Ray and Paul will be among the reserves that are named tonight. I mean doc has kind of been going out of his way to to hit the drum pretty hard for record Rajon Rondo and why not. I may be will be when we can I members of the Celtics part of All-Star weekend having to line.

Well even even though he hasn't played like an All-Star the last two games. By getting into a lot of foul trouble Paul Pierce will probably be announced at -- yeah that's the seventh the All-Star game. Kevin Garnett is already there. Ray Allen the shooting 50% from the field over 90% from the line and in 40% from three point range though. He's gotta be an All-Star in my opinion. I think Rondo might get snubbed. Yeah and and you can see why haven't I haven't you have somebody from every teen and you know it's probably -- look at somebody like Mo Williams. The get a guy like Devin Harris lot of -- lot of guards there to score and no matter what Rondell role is here when. Even coaches sometimes it look at the numbers and -- on average in seventeen -- average in 2423. Here's -- guy Rondo averaging eleven. Gotta go to guy averaging more points so I don't I don't think he'll get a this year but I think yet he continues to. Play the defense you can plan. Lately with the exception of it's a few games have both games where they just hadn't had a focus defensively but if he continues to play -- fact that he will -- them on decent thing. Well of first or second.

have. I think three representatives in Phoenix anyway as as we said the Big Three will all be here I I interestingly enough. The second place vote getter. At the center position in the east as Kendrick Perkins and I don't hear anybody talking about Indian. I never hear his name brought up. I think you're right about Rondo that because you have to have somebody from every team it's going to be kind of hard up for Celtics as part of the roster. And I think it -- a man has been done an apartment house too because -- like three Celtic.

That's -- down passed down I mean if they feel that way that is really. At the silly reason not to invite a guy who's good three point shooter missed All-Star weekend. -- got one of the best teams in the league in the Celtics of course you're gonna have a lot of representatives. I expect the the Cavaliers and Lakers and magic have a lot of representatives -- The best thing to death.

So I mean I wouldn't discriminate to saline in place for the Celtics rarity got no KG -- got it so. Let's not have Eddie House. I was I was looking it something in last night because that this this number just keeps jumping out of me with that the and Duke basketball but I wanted to. Went to follow up on our Jason Varitek conversations. The number that jumps out at me as 26 out of third. You. Probably heard it many times. Red Sox. Were 26. Out of thirty teams last year and catchers OP yes. So that's pretty Batman and you can't put it all on Kevin Cash. As a matter of fact Kevin Cash had you know a few big hits last year I wasn't a total disaster. But I was looking around. Just looking at some other teams you know one. That this goes through. This speaks to the -- The height. That we produced over Jason Varitek he really is. In Boston we have made him to be somebody he's not -- Juliet. He's the third worst catcher. Numbers wise -- that third worst starting catcher. In the American.

In terms of hitting. He was last.

Yeah yeah I I'm not as willing as as you are in some people artists like that's what he has now. And that's what he'll be going forward but he was last year there's no there's no arguing.

I mean the only the only catcher in the division. In this team didn't even have a catcher and only catcher in the in the division that was worth Ameritech was Yankees catcher and that's like five people. You look at every other team and their catcher. In the American League American League east look at every other team. And -- catcher was better than Barrett. I understand it it. So we say well who they got a fine he'll find somebody look at and that that's where your argument starts to weaken -- no -- some not -- listen let me just finish the sentence so they'll find somebody because. There are sixty guys in Major League Baseball. Starters and backups catching. They're not all perfect and not all Joe Mauer. There are they be. All of them don't have the potential could be. A great catcher one day great hitting catchers great receivers. So you mean to tell me. That the Red Sox don't resign Jason Varitek. That another of that one of these thirty or sixty guys. Can help them more than he did last year I don't know or sports much is.

He did last year the first the ball to get one of these sixty guys you're gonna have to give up something and and -- Barry how much you have to give up depending on which of the sixth the -- So so -- going to have to determine which of the sixty are available to -- and what the cost is going to be to acquire one of the sixty I got no problems acquiring one of the sixty. I still want Varitek back I want both. I I'm not willing to -- play any of my catching eggs in the in the Josh Bard did George can terrorists dusty brown basket.

It's just amazing to me looking around baseball. Everybody was bad I mean -- the team Cleveland. -- obviously Minnesota. Now the Angels had a platoon. With Mathis Napoli. Map that was not good Napoli right. Texas was better Oakland was batters Seattle was -- Baltimore. I mean a full of Kevin Cash too much credit by the way his old PS was lower than -- last year so let's not I did I'm not get. -- Kevin Cash any credit I'm saying he's just saying he had some big hit -- OPS was worse than Barrett tax Ocalan they had like thirty somewhat -- well they -- they had a bad catching brightened and Charlie and turned out hitting a baseball got here they had a bad combination. I just believe that. If you have a good pitching staff and more importantly he could deepens. You can get by with a catcher whose average and that's what Jason Varitek is Jason Jason Varitek is not. An elite game caller he's got a great game caller. He is so what do you base that is somewhere between average. And above -- what -- based compared to other -- game caller how do you do you judge animal I don't know what the criteria it is. Another I don't I don't get a measurement yeah okay now pocket here here's a measurement dale. Where would these guys be in in this is just something got a project where were these guys be without.

What what and what are right you'd have a guy reject I don't.

Well I don't let -- hit you can't do it. What what would Josh Beckett be without Jason Varitek.

Jonathan Papelbon be without Jason Varitek but he -- good. Maybe not that's going to be kidding me Josh Beckett has now won a World Series without Jason Varitek behind the plate. Well he was on team that won World Series yeah. It's on it -- be -- Grail.

I'm not arguing his I don't understand how and I don't mean Yuen saying in general. How to -- judge that Varitek is not one of the elite game callers in the game I don't know -- I don't know what criteria two to measure it -- I don't know how other than saying while I just don't think he has that's fine no arguing a.

What you do is go with the go what the pitchers. What pitcher has he brought up what pitcher has he made batter. Well but what pitcher has the -- Jon Lester would say here's here's your Jon Lester with say Jon Lester would say that but you know what when when Jason Varitek is not here next year. What kind of season what you expect from Jon Lester because I don't think Jason Varitek except -- the -- I don't think he's going to --

you say and that was with John and Jerry in the cross -- and I didn't know if this was one of those when sports news breaks moments I mean. Do you have and I. In -- them silent ambien jerk or that you -- the -- have you got a tip here and I mean have you got -- is somebody giving you an indication are they are you sank. In my opinion he's not going to take the deal I I didn't know which ones.

Dale I have. I have I have Moulds right that's what I have moles yeah. Who have told me that if the deadline work today which is there's neighbor couple days away or days away yet supposedly it's tomorrow that deadline word today. No.

And and that's that's a basket it I mean they are are you getting indications of that note or is it an opinion which is perfectly valid as well adjusted no. When it was based at the deadline or today no. -- So. As I understand it and and looking at it as I understand it if he waits until after the June draft. He can and sign with another team without first round compensation be -- due to the Red Sox. In other words you take the compensation aspect away once the draft has gone -- As I understand the rules I'm wrong about that but I'm pretty sure that's the case against someone other words then and help me there. You -- well I would think that teams would be more willing to you're considerate they don't have the cup first.

Maybe that for teams yes and I'm saying doesn't help him. If he's being like there's a more options they'll listen he he is being offered five million dollars right now right. So you wait till June. And you're gonna get a pro rated share exactly and I got a pro rated and it's not going to be five million dollars can be less. Why would you why would you do it yet you you saw him having bad season last year at the plate yeah. You're waiting he's he's 37 years old you're waiting until June. What the market the Red Sox have decided. If if if he's there and -- the Red Sox obviously have decided we're moving on right. So what makes some other team without as much information about Jason Varitek as the Red Sox what makes them so excited to pay him more than the Red Sox offered.

Then why wouldn't take this off. Apparently it's -- So he doesn't take dance. He waits until June that out he signs for well rated share of less than us I mean it'd artwork what I heard was out -- that's always sits out our men and will go okay -- the year. -- are right let's let's let's take that. Is -- going to be in new market for Jason Varitek. Next winter I'm nuts and I do it I'm not on our critical smart play I'm trying to figure out from his perspective. I mean you gotta have an end game here you can't just act. I mean you -- I think approach it somewhat more realistically them. I at his age given the way he performed offensively last year. There wasn't a market for his services this offseason after sitting out a season doesn't think there's going to be more of -- market next off season. There's going to be not I don't know because that it it just doesn't make any sense to me. He loses ball ways eight there's nobody to sign him a year from now in my opinion NB five million dollars gets thrown down the -- So it it while I understand the emotional aspect of saying they're insulting me I'm not signing not go. At some point or another Scott Boras has got to sit him down and quiet -- say that's fine it's your decision. Which got to understand this is where.

I went wait a minute now that's not gonna happen you're expecting. Scott Boris to be the voice of reason not going to happen if it's got boards where the voice of reason Jason Varitek would be. Preparing to go to Fort Myers right now knowing that he had about an eleven million dollar contract because that's what he was gonna get. About eleven to 1111 have. From arbitration.

That's what I don't know is is who's in other words to Boris say don't want. Jason got -- you got take the arbitration you got DO and and none -- notice. I mean I haven't read anything anywhere where Boris recommended this and Varitek to know on -- this I don't know what what Boris was tellem. I mean I gotta believe Boris is saying exactly what you said because that's not going to get any more money anywhere.

It's -- so I can't see Scott Boras saying we're not going to get any more money anywhere else. I know his clients have taken. Arbitration before they've taken one year deals before Obama Boras clients but. He seemed to be convinced unless he was -- donor for the cameras. Which I wouldn't put it past him either it'd be convinced. That there was a team out there are some mystery team or mystery teams. That we're willing to pay Jason Varitek. You know big money over multiple years at -- but doesn't look in the American League in if he's he's been an AL guy his entire career prior to -- As I look in the American League One team. That could probably use them. Other than the Angels. With Apatow and I talked about right Mathis Napoli. Kansas City maybe. I guess -- you got John but there. I wasn't so great last year.

You know John Buck -- nine homers 48 RBIs to 24 average through four on base. And slugging percentage of 365. So.

Other than Kansas City and other than Los Angeles maybe. And Boston. -- I. I'm talking about playing right now that there may maybe there -- a lot of team doctors say that would say oh yeah yeah we'll take Varitek. -- be a great. Guy to play you know two or three times a week or twice a week.

And tore my -- young catcher who's up and coming and if that's the case how much the paper that you don't pay six million dollars for mentor. No I thought I want to twice a week you pay about him it is my opinion that that nobody will pay more than the Red Sox have offered. Now he may not believe that he may believe and or Scott sportsmen believed that there's some pot of gold at the end of the rainbow somewhere. I think he's worth more of the Red Sox -- used anybody else I think they've offered more than anybody else well which is why. I don't doubt your sources at all and that's why I asked if it was just picked feeling on your part or some more. I think he's making a gigantic mistake another one I think he made a huge mistake when he turned down arbitration. I think he's on the verge of making another I hope I.

It doesn't get. I hope it doesn't get ugly. With -- America. I don't know how much uglier I don't know but -- right now it's not it's not mean it's not nasty right now it is. There's some mystery involved. I think most people are waiting around like John Jerry's has -- just waiting for the announcement you know wake me up when he signs that the -- having multiple feel that way. I don't think folks have really let it. It's set in or people have really imagine that Jason Varitek will be somewhere else in 2009. And the Red Sox will have a different catcher. Well no actually we won't be some morals in 2009 while you're all somewhere I'll catch somewhere else whether that's -- house and out every lives or. With another team but I think most people believe. You know it and how many options right now there -- a lot of good players out of work not just Varitek but. Bobby Abreu and Tom Glavine and Pedro Martinez. Manny Adam Dunn up Manny Ramirez a lot of good players out of work. I think mostly just waiting think is just a matter of time. But it may hate it may be more serious than that it's ugly yet you don't have any. Any back and forth. Between Boris. And the Red Sox the Red Sox are saying anything about Varitek -- respectful. Varitek and anything about the Red Sox that it can be construed as disrespectful.

I I will I will -- this it's only guess on my part. If Varitek does which -- and sits out he may well say some very disrespectful things about the Red Sox. The Red Sox will never ever ever say anything disrespectful about.

And I don't think you'll do that -- I don't think you'll do it either and I hope it doesn't -- that's what I don't at that point. He has he has never. And unless I'm missing some big intimate that is just get my mind he has never. Said anything against anybody. His entire.

Why I agree with you know he'd be he's been impeccable in that in that way all my my point was simply. Because of his stature within the clubhouse because of the way he is he has held. The the respect that he's held by his teammates it would be stupid for the Red Sox to ever say anything bad about. Which is why they never well because it's gonna (%expletive) off. You know David Ortiz or Jonathan Papelbon Jon Lester or whoever else is still here when Ameritech's gone and you know sitting in his house wherever it is they'll never say anything bad about right and and and that's that -- about. There's agent but the -- retaining bad about it and --

to say this I guess we may disagree a bit on the effect of a catcher and you want to time much hesitant to smear and give teams second and that and the second. I think we disagree on the effect of a catcher and his game calling. I think it's much more important. Four teams ERA I think it's much more important have a good defense. Behind the pitcher -- as opposed to a good receiver. Who is catching. The pitcher.

What they've written it channels you know -- committed the offense right and give me an average to below have -- but I don't think it's any of the roar I agree with you that that the good defense has a greater effect injury RAI agree. But I'm not sure it's -- either north --

To go back and people always say about 2006 and look what happened when he wasn't here I'd go back to -- six and see. Who was in the field everything going to hit they had a lot of injuries and a lot of movement. Want to see who was in the field and how their defense did when Jason Varitek was gone.