John Farrell, Red Sox Pitching Coach

Well we saw what happened over the weekend we were a game on Friday night -- dice k.'s performance we've read what's gone on. Since then whenever we have questions about pitching who better to talk to the guy who actually knows what he's talking about. Pitching coach the Boston Red Sox Jon -- on the line hey John I don't.

Mike and they'll do all right I got --

There are pretty well. We're all right but where where like you probably at this point a little baffled. As you look back on dice k.'s performance so far this year. When things start one -- or did they start unraveled at the start of the year.

Well it's a great point there are great question you know you have a look back to. Spring training and this is not to point the finger -- anyone. Permanent horror anyone saying what what you think you're starting pitcher. And they are accustomed to age progression the consistent progression Euro per year outing after Ali and winning in -- that. And ramp up two quick. There are times when a pitcher will not have the the war that's being used slightly here at the world foundation but every pitcher has got to get himself physically. And the mentally prepared to go 462. Game season when you try and short circuit whether it because that participate in the WB feet. Or you can look back but early ninety's when spring training -- shorten down because a lockout or strike or any kind of short spring training as an adverse effect on the individual culture. And you can also look at it -- like last year which shocked by this spring training wasn't erupted because with a back injury and seemingly was playing catch up the entire year. This is very much like -- is trying to people what you're doing what. What we're trying to rectify it from today on all.

John I think the World Baseball Classic is is a well intentioned of an event. That just doesn't have a a proper space for it if you're gonna involve major league baseball players but what I've said it means a lot to a lot of countries do you believe. The Dice-K could have said. Do you the authorities in Japan. I gotta get ready for Major League season guys sorry can't do it or what that is Pia national. Nightmare for them.

I I can't speak to what the outcome of all might be it out well orchard what taken. I do know that whether it Daisuke and his native country in Japan. -- guy is that place the United States there's a tremendous amount of pride that goes and all that goes along with -- of the involvement in the economic. Some players. Feel more. Closely obligated to fulfilling that request. Then than others but in the case about state it's clear I mean this is a very important. Participation very important. Tournament for not only see what their entire country. But the on the downside of that I think it's clear now that there have been through these -- That the she's in performance of the pictures are participating in that term and take a step backwards -- not to speculate we've restarts. Pictures in Japan that participated for -- the BB CC. And the same situation or sub par performance is taking place so. This is the wallet and the term as is that. Yet there are some drawbacks to.

John as Dice-K coach -- or is -- headstrong and and loath to listen.

I wouldn't say he's -- less about but not the case but I will tell you that that every. At least performer and let's face it by noon 133 games of the regular season baseball the last two years should be considerably performer. They're very strong. In their mindset in terms of what they're individual strengths are they rely heavily on votes. And when it comes time for -- Sometimes there's. Adversity -- he's facing now that is needed. To make necessary just and we're not talking about wholesale trade partner it's this -- around physical strength and conditioning. Or -- shoulder. Overall shoulder strength and I I think it's important to clarify your I think this -- or south or that the bank is suffering from a sore shoulder. That is. Not true that is there any fought anyway that that is far from the truth he does have different agencies and strength. That goes back to the preparation for a full season. That in this case has not -- afford it and when you wrap up two quick you fatigue it. And then trying to come back who wore it to get back in shape and there's just not ample time or format to do that. Fortunately we'll smoke coming to us we have that on our side right now in order I think every time. I needed to get -- it right there -- the country was the last two years.

When he nibbles and he seems to -- a lot. Is it that he can't throw strikes or won't throw strikes.

Well I think the one thing that is the very accustomed to and we knew we were lower this. With our our ports would. Video review from coming over and this is very customer to the Japanese style of pitching they use the entire count. In other -- it's not like probably go through and through. That's why you see elevated pitch count that's why you see pictures. That are very accustomed to predict that started -- A good keeping count I -- count because of the file that they. Use those file that they're. From what groomed to -- two. So here where he's pitching to a smaller strike zone. And to a much deeper lineup in terms of overall strength. He's not doing anything different than done before so it made looked up as being on customary but -- him it's very much the approach that you used. His entire pro career.

And had a lot of debates on Daisuke. I'm I'm a fan of his despite the fact that sometimes when he pitches he does use a full count as you said. At what was there any misinformation regarding Daisuke we were looking at some reports earlier from SI. They called him the Japanese -- dramatics was that. Unfair or or were those reports you were getting before you even met Daisuke.

Well I I think it's common baseball draw some comparisons particularly for not familiar with a guy you. -- in the baseball world. You try to align them or you draw comparisons for another pitcher who might be fresh. Or another player fresh in the minds of people that have a novel -- a direct interest in the game mobile followed as the Altria. Double the one thing it. People might look at is the -- they can hear that report now that lose. Greg Maddux coming over to us and compared to what he's doing now and say that couldn't be farther from the truth. What we're dealing with right now is. Someone who's not in the top physical condition and I say that not because she's not working out that's a thought you misinterpret. But he's having the war. Extra hard right now to generate the type of velocity that we've seen from them. And what a pitcher does that -- the by all the following trying harder to get the intended results. He's looking up -- Feeling the weight not carrying his load in our rotation. Look what you try to do that. They -- they can try to Arctic and overthrow and what they do that sacrifice command and location. But clearly what a pleasure.

You explain that very well and it makes me wonder. Does he have time this year to catch up amount how we're going to see Daisuke. In 2009 this seems like he's. -- behind. And the only way to catch up is that try again next year.

Our our every intention will be to get him back this year now I'd say that would know and iron frame. That on August 1. He's going to be back in -- rotation. There's going to be objectives that he's going to have to meet all the way your ball in terms of strength conditioning. All from the body standpoint and control percent point and then you can't short circuit the following program as we outline of the outlet here. That he's going to have to go through to. We're not only he feels confident but we can accomplish that is going to go back out. On the mound and have the type of performance and result the deputy who conduct over the past two years.

Will -- be endeavoring to give him the spring training he never had.

Outlaw I think that's. -- credible or looking out here no I wouldn't say that it's going to be you know three months of an off season you know a total of three months where there's a -- losses you go through them or a gradual build up he's working from a better foundation right now than if you're talking about this in January or February. That's obvious with the amount of any on already by it's clear that there are needs that do exist. By his own admission he knows that there's -- that need to figure stepped back to -- These steps forward. And that's what we're in the process of constructing an overall comprehensive plan both physically fundamentally. We -- back that level.

That there are many differences between playing in the Japanese league in the major in the major leagues. Have you seen any. Any major differences that that Daisuke has. -- brought into his game to americanize it so to speak that. For example something he did. In Japan that you didn't particularly like for a five man rotation in the major leagues and he has adapted and done. Well what you want him to do anything stand out your mind.

you don't like he's got -- over -- All from an actual progress in getting accustomed to. The problem the biggest thing is that strikes on them and what you could computer. It came to a -- all we've all seen in this first. -- The first half of the first -- that it could force there was a five pitch mix that he was trying to incorporated side of the game. And because of the need to. Hope that -- of probably have smaller shape and model of the not a big curveball. He's not used to split finger as he did early on and use this -- without fear. All of either in large part because of this into the strike -- he's bad -- in fact all at least mix a little bit more frequently over the past year plots. And so those -- natural changes that he's gone through. I believe all the five man rotation and the pitching on short rest. Is bullpen in between starts. Have been reduced in terms of total number it's just -- And that because he goes on feel it because -- understanding of what our pitchers go through so if he's a living example of how they are guys go through their work. And he's made. Some sizable changes in the kind -- he's been here.

You mentioned earlier and annual. -- what are legitimate expectations for John Smoltz on Thursday.

While walking I think we're gonna have a -- are very excited I'd be back -- amount. You know for what we enter people in the Boston area have you jump -- wolf our guest we've seen him pitch you're against us. -- what he's accomplished and what he's gone through his -- Career both in terms of awful performance. Regular season post season. Coming back from injury and I agree multiple arms. There's there's always the have an innate ability to find a way to be successful because of numbers here in and year out have been extremely consistent. Even despite. Injuries that -- have. Pretty significant surgery last June. -- all the necessary work to get back at this point we we have a pitch count on him or -- expect 85 and ninety pitch count limit. Billion but not always the guy that's going to be excited to get back about but I think he's going to have a game that you know you can check. And certainly give us an opportunity to win this is just in his first outing where he rose from that point of performance. Local property is going to be successful that or.

I saw some quotes from you were talking about potential six man rotation and didn't seem. Like that was an idea an idea for the bomb threats are a good idea for about -- are. Why is it not practical for you guys -- any team in Major League Baseball.

You know I wouldn't say I don't think it's a good idea -- be looking at the current situation where we had. The potential six starters on the it would -- transaction that the suspect the fire. Oh we're all from the stretch during the season where we had five inspector or inspect the Ball State on Monday. And then when you get into the addition of six man now you're into seven and possibly eight days on occasion for starting pitcher to -- to the rotation. When you get into that long time between starts. It has not -- the possible effects of that -- your control of the innings and giving ample rest and recover our. The downside of that is I think when you get past the sixth day. Over the pitching goes 78 or beyond I think it begins to affect. You of the touch and feel for some secondary pitches that are important that you start when they -- amount salt. Is overwhelmingly -- physical standpoint a good thing from a performance standpoint. You look put into bullpen if it's eight day rotation -- got only going to get about whites and between starts to keep that touch and feel. So you know. Thursday. But you -- it doesn't look forward to protect the pictures but still wore out a win every night. And you try to optimize all -- case.

By his own admission this season has been somewhat of a work in progress for Jonathan apple on the end results are what you want. Even if the -- getting there isn't always how's he progressing with his attempt to go back to his previous delivery.

Well I I think he's doing an excellent job and I think the one thing that doubt has done is set an extremely high standard. A performance. You know. There's been a lot of support so when he doesn't have the same amount of -- investors are all the questions start to come up you know what's wrong and yet here's a guy who's. Executed or ordered -- to -- all of save opportunities except one. And yet. What he's incorporating it is delivery of those seven which allows them to use his body -- More consistently generating its velocity what we've seen. It is. A lot to be at the higher. End of the normal range for and so he's -- 9596. The mound much more frequently than he did a year ago. Is some of these adjustments are natural all the time. He's made the adjustment in 08. Really to respond to some tipping their -- particularly -- one -- So to combat that. When local we've designed a little bit of a different political -- can't provide up with his need a little more consistently. That has been taken away this year going back to the seven who ordered what his hands but much preset. -- Next to his right shoulder -- is like up to was blocked now. What. No more fortunate to have. -- and not only in terms of the competitiveness. For people who were close back into the picture at successfully --

Usually bring that to a guy's attention. That he's tipping his pitches forward to guys usually know when they look at video -- can't believe I'm doing that.

You know it first starts -- it if now again from our angle on the dugout week. Well right in the picture we're saying it put it back corner in the in the stretch position so it can be a little bit difficult for us in real armor -- was going on detectives. What begins to emerge as you watch the hitters reactions and -- to our own. Particularly in newspaper in most pitchers phases that the secondary that is a breaking ball split finger what -- happy. What do what do hitter takes it without any kind of offering or they don't even flinch. It begins to peak your interest that OK something is detected even before that -- loan. But they don't even offer -- particular for guys compensate for his foreign mid ninety's. And hitters gotta start this morning much earlier than let's -- guy is going in the upper eighties. Oh and they don't even offer something secondary or secondary type -- That you begin to look a little bit deeper into it and it could be defending the -- to be in position on the body. That that principle subconsciously didn't do it and it still nothing more than half -- and then you've got to look for ways they're correct I haven't earned the sky is the maker reports look the same out of my --

John you really gotta wonder about the people to work where I have been told. By an inside source. At the end of your career was very interesting in Detroit and there was an event. Involving a Siegel would you like to. Say would you like to discuss that event.

Well -- it but let's put it in Detroit -- Caribbean was very short it would -- totaled three starts. -- second start which was much like the first that didn't go very long into the game I felt something hit in the arm but you know what it's the second inning -- and gone public in the span. -- Put my hat down after take it off but I realize the seagull out of all over. Kind of extreme at all. And the fact that felt good note this legally elected it's probable -- and probable won't.

A I thought I going to have some AS PC thing that we were going to have to report the work that out with Dave when.

people are lap about that a lot because that I know urine but sort of due to their bit go to -- and -- it it. It wasn't funny at the time because -- humiliated in -- way out word you know frank thomas' home run into the upper deck and all the other -- went -- but by the game. But it if it -- let a couple of light moment feared there would look back a couple of yourself well but.

I mean think about that at that -- you say yeah it is time to stop playing baseball and do -- else and that's definitely.

And apparently this happened for Detroit because on the broadcast like from the -- later that it was forty years since the last picture you've got crap on. They're heavy -- you know I don't know what the outcome of that person's career looked like entire Bible for the short lived up to that.

John it's always fun talkin' pitching with the NCL sweet we always appreciate the time. I have a good and say broad for a.

Don't comport to a you don't go to the Washington faced a team that played much better light protect the political football and you know -- and stamina -- remember guys that it might not be household names but they've they've done -- late so. It's always nice to play here and I'm like -- we've got a lot of movement games.

Thanks John hey John take care grant. Here say they care that is John -- pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox he can break it can't be. He broke down the -- the Singleton who has -- some was. Someone's heart someone's art John -- pitching coach for the Red Sox joined us on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world.