Dale and Holley's Opening Segment

I I shouldn't even ask this every time I ask you make my Tommy said when you answer but. Did you miss me.

That's what I thought. A simple tiny little white lie wouldn't hurt she. Is that Phil Jackson and obviously now. There's some Mayo cognitive dissonance. With the delay.

Obviously there's some introspection. While taking too long about. Obviously there's some discussion going on internally.

Picked -- and we don't know if it's not discussion going on internally so much smarter than not only -- Anything final -- It's like provider provides secure Rosenthal are deals that little something. -- I bet with my wife. Let the American -- your big game -- that don't do this morning okay. I wanna I wanna set the table because people from management might be. I did. I said it now. Take a four day hiatus. I took two days off and there to the Senate before days off and on -- well. -- would be afforded hiatus from the station out of out of the ordinary I took two days Friday and nurses station for. That matter. Make that clear OK you'll listen. To -- a year Julie mason at the today's. Realty Q and realize this government -- That did make that clear. I admit I'm not kill adelphia now I've missed due to I I did some.

First week I was because I was around and -- listen now on and I was sorry I wasn't here for the whole Michael Jackson discussion that you and -- work wearing gauging AM yeah but yes the -- on my face -- are you glad you have sold -- so you know but the second week. I I was at the pond and IKEA.

We had a correspondent. At the pollen we had to whip apple respond correspondent. -- named rob. The -- who's calling and who's he was giving a -- stalking you basically. And he was giving us updates on what Dale Arnold was that dale and what duty. The man if you know Manny at some and really. Tawdry story. Yeah some good stuff.

Me and me in the four girls who were in my cap. My wife my daughter my daughter's college roommate and my other daughter I is tawdry stuff going on up there but the reality. Perhaps who's the real pap lose tawdry stuff that map so yeah we had to go back on the Q was making most of the stuff he would I guess that might be true.

And I know you work with people like that before this tactic that. About who's about it anyway. The united Iverson that was that was fictional but it was Eleanor. So we were able to we were able to keep together while you're gone we have video world payment lightning round.

You're rather hire higher I'm sure it's. You miss that. Like I especially like the lightning round with the fourteen minute call them out there about 77. Minutes. I don't. And I I got a bit today at their times are remember his name Ron English out of name but I remember what its main course yeah. I'll ask her -- name. Our -- where he's from Brookline. Brooklyn right there David from Brooklyn got the and a sailor from Brooklyn and drove me crazy and he still CNN. This inside -- up boys and girls wanna be tuned in to. It's the exact reason why I think the lightning round is the dumbest idea in the history of radio. I've heard that before I didn't want you to cut him -- I didn't want you to bomb through that I want you to have the discussion with -- I was fascinated listening to.

Once a once in awhile during the world famous line around the Emmy nominated Marconi winning a lightning round there -- times. Where you will have somebody on for six or seven minutes and he was that guy.

You couldn't -- could do in thirty seconds it. -- I'm. From Dorchester here. Not all I want to hear that discussion that beat -- and technical Mets. Are our most frequent Dorchester. I now last Friday you were here and I wasn't here. And it and they had this guy how this is that is now remember I don't know not I was here for this for Friday rich from -- I don't know -- from all that. -- them all -- our Hudson ball over rich from all the -- called yesterday to. Gelatin to affirm to meet you call back to a burden to me what you Marty Larry and I now know myself. And -- caller in the history of no authority.

No -- I disagree is entertaining. Guy don't army. That you didn't laugh a couple of times -- got idea rich is one of those people one of those callers that if you have a bad day. And you haven't laughed penalize him after a couple of hours it's 300. -- will make you laugh although he has an asset value you as one of the best callers just Tuesday yesterday is how do we know. The Celtics cut John okay you know what -- my -- well my revised.

Rich on hold for a minute. I had -- lag Edward and it that there it mumbled -- and it Abbott would back to Houston. Pocket as we were at you know we like turn the volume back up on the radio and we turn --

There was no other audio from rich slash Lester Hudson the Lester Hudson version -- that on the website yeah. -- of people can okay WEEI back on the -- few retirement WBI background on how he page listen to rich and entertain.

It just it it yesterday when he said -- well but they all got round got rich on Ron. How do you know at which point. -- size kind of glaze over -- Now it's I guess we don't know at blanks looked in these -- is really don't know that the patriots won't cut Tom Brady you've got really don't know that you might not -- cut Dustin Pedroia we don't --

Actually went out uncles all right. I. Don't you don't want to Libya showcasing it right eight uncle is playing a Bob wait --

She'll policy because -- JP rich guardian baseball ops folks in Toronto have never seen like buckles before or are you got a picture Friday because. And you know he said he says he could go up there and throw a no hitter I said no worries -- maybe of one analyst a concession. He thought about it for a no hitter is pretty rare you'll want hypocrite.

Notoriously Aceh why out hey why it's not outright lie.

I I just edit it if as I said at the end of Richards call I wonder if Mike avenue is still open up that -- on because I've felt like driving back. You know on -- volume there nasty that's. He might have been onerous and don't in the air on an -- voices pretty unmistakable. -- probably be. Here. Did you watch via home run derby I did not. I don't know what the home run derby in and out about. Four different times -- with Chris Berman I mean in and out probably in terms of dozing off I don't know I mean I hit -- but I wouldn't blame everything Allen and you know in and out now and and and again this is not -- knock on Chris Berman in the -- Act act all let's stop. Is that it is the most boring now I I will say yes when I was -- ball park in 99 when -- there. You're sitting there watching it there's a certain excitement level. It is doesn't translate well that it is the most boring television event -- it is.

Mourn them as non I'm not trying to do. Make fun of of your age or anything like that -- I would do that now but when you were a kid. Were you into.

All -- Ryan wrote about this was exactly right. This was one of the Cingular biggest not not the home -- but the All-Star game with one of the single biggest sporting events of the I mean when I'm not executed. Just Africa to -- nationally it's in months while on the on the game of the week. But -- the American League just as much in and you know you had the Red Sox games brought up -- I mean the All-Star game wise appoint you cleared it was like Super Bowl Sunday. You don't plans for Super Bowl Sunday I'll be a front of that TV at 6 o'clock it was like after all. As -- all. Well I'm I'm saying in in terms of you know what you were highly and just ordered when anything that. It was it was going to be a problem my television and All-Star game starts and I'm gonna -- the -- when the last pitch --

Now I don't know but is trying to recreate that if you try to recreate that there's no chance there's so many reasons. That will never ever happen again the All-Star game will not be that important to anybody right weather -- whether their 75 or or or fifteen. Or five.

One and the record and it's a very athletic Ravalomanana. Went on and opted to you today that. And I die that are not an arbitrary number called unity that your. Very insecure today earlier your bit fragile. Right regular.

Excel but listen. Because one thing you mentioned with interleague play. Or you know they were generally play when your grown up when I was growing up there is now that's one reason Pacman back but think about this should never solve a nationally. How many teams did you actually say yeah there was that there was a cable universe once upon a time where you watched your team. And the Atlanta Braves. Or you watch hurricane in the Chicago Cubs but. Around the eyes and it's one hitter with because they were the cubs right and you see the cubs you see the Braves or your local team and this. Internet explosion there wasn't this cable explosion. Where you can watch games online where you just go home and they put all black baseball packets you can watch anybody want to countries right. For all of these factors and plus. You know we've come along everything is a big event now we we treat everything like all this is a home run derby day did you deal. So the All-Star game is not gonna have that special place if that's the reason Bud Selig wanted view attached. Home field advantage to this game and then it was a terrible idea but he wanted to bring if you wanted to update the gamer. Bring a new twist to it can't support it and fine if either. The winner of the All-Star game gets home field advantage wars ago National League American League or the team with the best record doesn't match.

Interestingly I believe this is the seventh year that the winner of the All-Star game will determine home field advantage in the world. The American League has won every one of them sent. Us. They took appalled baseball fans that I was reading yesterday 56%. Of the respondents said. They are not in favor of having the winner of the All-Star league wins the All-Star game. Getting home field advantage in the World Series now that maybe because the American League has dominated this stretch here and they just are sick of it. It it it may be because they think it's stupid I mean and and and we all we've made fun for years now vote this time now it's. No it doesn't count they don't play it any differently -- the managers don't manage any differently.

I I don't think they -- they might manage it might -- differently especially. If you're Joe Maddon. This is just an activist supreme. Absolutely right now it's just an exhibition you know what you're what you're single biggest mandated secure Joe -- make sure everybody goes home health. Now your second biggest mandate is play as many people as he can without get caught like -- didn't Milwaukee few years ago. -- third mandate is. Okay I'd like to win this thing to.

You know what I might switch to when three. Number one tigers. You don't wanna get your guys are no I like you don't wanna get a team even though -- it's -- Red Sox and the Yankees you're chasing an amateur -- you don't wanna get their guy.

Absolutely not an end madness such a class act anyway right but equal to bend over backwards to make sure nobody does anything I think.

Winning is second. And playing everybody that's that's third because. As Tito has told us many times and you -- when you tell these players which are game plan is. And and he said you know it's amazing to see thirty something heads. Going up and down nodding saying all absolutely whatever it takes will do. You know these are right the best of about the Graham Democrat. So they don't do. What they'll they'll follow the game plan and if you tell them I'm wanna try to get your hand but there's no guarantee against the game but understand because.

They god they -- a lot of guys don't wanna be there are gonna apply and they do understand what what the manager I think the gilts. I I think it's very hard when the game is over. To look at that guy who didn't get in and say look I'm sorry your call I did everything like that I you know I'm sorry. I think it's. What was it what's the game and say no it was Albert -- when the bolts and a whole thing and -- is the one that hasn't yet again and and you know that whole flap. I think that -- you're right that you've got to be smart about it it will never have a situation like happened in Milwaukee again. But you'll also you know you feel some obligation to each one of those guys individually. Not maybe a manager has called in said look. Do me a favor. If you stay away from from Josh Beckett stay away from Josh Beckett you don't feel bad if you skip that guy. But position guys other than the fact you better have somebody available in case something bad happens. Every other guys probably gonna get in there at some point or another even at its pinch running. Thing era. A single Batman he doesn't even -- in the field I think they do feel an obligation to try to get them.

May -- first time all stars. Second time all stars -- bid for -- some of these guys it's almost like -- their arms. Just to get them to show up at the game right it that the novelty wears off form I call -- the Manny effect.

It who don't wanna be Air Canada they're they don't want -- grandmother's. So Barak and it's pretty amazing you -- you're right there's some guys who don't wanna be there. I really think. 98%. Of the guys. Wanna be there. They wanna be apart of it they wanna participate. I was happy to see Red Sox players last night I was happy that Jason Bay wasn't in that. Home run contest. Brandon into -- in -- News for you know today what I think. The Red Sox are perfect example. Wakefield once the absolutely. -- that will make sure -- at first All-Star game. Four years old when he is only a lot of great opportunity at a time. Josh -- he wants to -- just wants teammate in the arrogantly asked him yesterday you know he'd be absolutely. And talked about now on its second day after a start he generally -- 7100. Pitches he has his side session. Andy doesn't baby absolutely he wants to pitched.

I think he -- he is available life and in right he was very emphatic as saying oh sure I'm there if they wanna use me but. Do you think Josh Beckett will be bothered if he doesn't -- we all started.

Other -- but I think he wants to he wants to pitched him. I I think there's no doubt in my mind. You know and and and all the other stuff that goes with -- but three days the -- parties the that gift bags whatever it is that's all. Well and good but you're there take you know like play for and.

Now since we're at the All-Star break them and ask your question here and maybe this is. This is an example of of mine I'm grateful -- yes maybe I am all.

Where you're on and am -- you make me do this maybe AM so alone to. Do an eagle didn't. -- The lead is big enough this is when I was begging letter read it because I RD set us All-Star party said yesterday. That I.

I -- yesterday and and and -- no it's not. Now they had a five game lead we're looking at that ten game homestand going into the All-Star break. I fully expected they were gonna go into the All-Star break with a seven rate game lead. There are some reasons involved here and I understand that I'm I'm I'm not the one grateful to god dammit -- like three. There's some disappointment.

They should be up by more than three games they've got. Not that all stars of the barometer of how great your team has that the team has. Six all stars. -- two all stars from the rotation and Tim Wakefield Josh Beckett and the third guy. When we last on it like an All-Star. Jon Lester Lester it we keep hearing about a a deep -- and that. We hear about me. A pretty good lineup -- lineup still very you know. Everybody is not. Performing at an optimal level Mike Lowell is out Jack Lowery hasn't played all year Campbell but just up which is still. -- in the top five when it comes to run scored. Your eight no against the Yankees. In Europe like three Yang.

I think I think they left some runners on base with a soft skin yeah no I agree with yet and I am not. Try to be an idiot about it I -- Europe by three at the All-Star break with and let's be honest here. Some things that you couldn't forsee who could've bought. The David Ortiz would have the first two months but he wanted to drive was one home run it was awful for by his standards but I'm not my area he has. I mean what you've seen the last month or so month and a half of Ortiz is what you'd expect. In view Pavel with the physical issues you've had other guys who've had to go on the DL he lost you -- for awhile. You know Pedroia. He's had kind of a tough little stretch here. And as things turn out we kind of have an idea that there may be other things going on in his life right now. And nobody's gonna criticize the guy he's the reigning American League MVP. He plays every game like it's the last game he's ever going to be allowed to play in his life. He's just scuffled a little bit here Jason day I heard you talking to the NC about it. A slump. And baseball players go through slumps he still leading the American League with 72 runs batted in going into tonight's all our game. He's still a guy but I would love to see the Red Sox --

Yeah how does the Red Sox resign him but at at all cost now and this is one of things this is not a new thing from Jason -- when he came over. I thought under the circumstances it was a pretty good trade for the Red Sox because they had -- from their perspective now there's the debate on this. In the streets of Boston from their perspective they felt like they had to move on Manny Ramirez they could not come back. After the trading deadline and have Manning in that clubhouse so knowing that they had to make this deal and knowing that the partners were pretty limited. The pirates could have crashed to deal and they almost did it was the pirates the Red Sox -- the dot Dodgers came out -- Jason Bay and they didn't give up much. To get that to get. Considering I mean I guess if Manny is that the big part of the deal but he's. Gonna remove them anyway right. So that was good under the circumstances but even in Pittsburgh one of the weak points or one of the criticisms you could have Jason Bay's game. He strikes out too much. And when he's calling that -- yeah and when he needs when he went through a slump can be ugly to watch and he is its drama slider sometimes. You throw some breaking stuff sometimes and it is just it is maddening.

I gotta tell you don't worry about it I I don't look at things more broad term you know we're we're such a snapshot. Fan. That you know whatever they're doing this week is is what they're a year is like I mean you know David Ortiz we we're talking about getting rid of David Ortiz in -- We can't get it now get a lot of these army to apply anymore. Well David Ortiz I've watched the last six weeks can -- just fine for my team. There's no doubt that Jason -- is in a slump right now I guess one school program. Youkilis had a stretch there in I think it was may where you -- a couple weeks stretch they agree on how.

Have you understand the guys go through slumps. But guys going through slumps were not under contract and you are written about what their value is public relations value at all what this snapshot that's Longwell out doesn't change it a bit -- light emitted depends. What do you think -- values per year per season I think that. What are likely he's gonna get what what what what what what would you pay here somewhere around fourteen million. A year over over how many more years problem.

I'm actually pretty reasonable lap I've heard numbers highs in -- except I I think that's silly I don't think I went all the risks now. I think he's probably now it's spring training they were somewhere around 1011 he was somewhere around 1415. If if the numbers that we've -- to people. I think realistically its gonna be around fourteen for four years and I don't read a middle thirteen. Well I think in other words like love to have their despite this slump. His play has pushed the numbers closer to his than there.

I don't know of this slump does affected. His market value a bit because we were going toward. The 151617. He had a case. Went the way started the season now. Not so much heat -- he's gonna give you power numbers. But he also that a strike out a time.

Going to but the but he is everything. That Theo Epstein and Terry Francona alone. I mean he's the perfect attitude he plays every day. See you know I'm an apple back in an F five tool playing but he's a pretty good player at all the different things that you're asking and idea. You know he's he's he's decent left fielder he says he's a good above average base runner. You know his on base percentage is where you want him to be he's around 370 thereabouts he's productive. You know allotment clubhouse every thing that they want like. Is in that package. I don't think internal audit to -- three week period of time where you know he's with and at breaking pitches and looking awful Democrats all -- Forget it out our back to ten or eleven.

It depends if he thinks is number sixteen or seventeen. And they wanna close -- well -- that can be of that to be a problem.