John Farrell, Red Sox Pitching Coach

Joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T your world delivered his Red Sox pitching coach John Ferrell right John I don't.

Dell Michael -- an indirect.

That would look great in you know Dell said you know something about pitching arsenal something about batted baseballs. And then what happens yard.

I tell you what though I have a lot more. I don't know what epic feel respect toward the line drive that hit that. Brad Penny took off his chest about a month ago here after picking a line drive up in the last night in the dugout.

And it's Terry Francona said that that's the place to go for sympathy right around that dugout.

Well for those who might have been Watkins and the lack forget. You know Peter would go after getting hit coveted. Haven't chosen the the support or the Huckabee that you pull it off for.

We'll be happy to know that as you were going down the tunnel he -- concerned and he's calling for Paulus art and he did look worried. I think when you came back he saw that you were alive all let's sympathy disappeared.

Well that didn't have to look at that reaction you know -- the year ago we will. Overseas Japan I got hit a backwater drive their BP in the sort of the fire -- them all happened about happily about what poll you look like get hit well last night on a different.

Perfect Segway -- you're talking about being in Japan two years ago here's the story of a Japanese paper recently where Daisuke Matsuzaka tells a reporter that part of the reason -- struggle. Here particularly this year is because he's on a throwing program that he doesn't necessarily endorse you guys are making him do things that he he doesn't wanna do. This sound familiar to viewers that there's an ongoing debate that you that you have a Daisuke over the years.

Well first of all on a more aware of the article that was written with the interview with those series without Florida. And and I don't know what -- concise answer to respond to that but what I will say is that is that we have the utmost respect for. The baseball Mormon culture is that the Japanese baseball league has. We were not all respectable. We acknowledge them at the -- those signing Daisuke. When he came over. No changes were recommended. No changes were mandated by any means. The the adjustments in throwing. I've been in response that challenges the site is based here and we look back those seven and -- that he's been very successful pitcher but two years there's been here. We know that there was a I think a pretty substantial amount of fatigue in the second half of those seven that we had to give him a breather at the time. Larger part because you're different doesn't travel that there's a competition different doesn't strikes on. A number of the anfield -- Latin phrase. So any adjustments that we've encountered have been in response to. How he's adapted. For the rigor of a schedule in the competition here. -- as well although he came in the spring training. In part of the 08 season. Would. What we intended to be the same approach that we took in 07. But at the same time we monitor every one of our pitchers in terms of the overall conditioning controlled -- And to provide this specific need that he's got now in May again he would shut down. I think larger part because he can in the spring training a little bit behind. Other pictures -- that. So whether that was a carry over effect of pitching in to nearly until late October November 1 from the year before -- a short off season. And -- crank it back up. Like every other pitcher -- We saw some. -- from a -- last year with Josh Beckett. God that I heavy workload in the 07 season so the challenges that -- no different than any other country here. And we have to use our best judgment the port. Pitchers in the situation whether or not only going to be productive. But where we feel we're going to be healthy not in the short run but in the long run it well also. I know Daisuke is transition here and the challenge he's faced. He's been obviously on record now saying that he has vast differences with the -- program. But we also have to do you know we've got a hundred million dollar investment and a guy that we got. What we feel not only protect people gonna put about the best situation to have that success we just outlined.

What's the Red Sox organization. Concerned about his physical conditioning when he arrived. To your training camp this year.

What though there was a concern from the standpoint of on the WBZ. Now I wanna be clear that or not pointing our finger at the WV CRs as the -- here that that needs could be. Document your first and foremost but. We had six players that. Participated in that -- All the Dice-K worked in spring training all of us at the outset we granted that. Freedom Daisuke knowing that there would be eight. Accused -- don't difference changes that he would face physically from from a lot of travel to turn back around in a week or ten days. And go back to Japan to -- for additional training or or joint in Japan. To prepare for the WBZ. But because we felt it was in the best interests to keep some stability. In that time -- to stay there. We did send a represented have all worked to monitor. I didn't work out. To provide just feedback. Because that was the same tree back there are other five players in -- WBZ we're getting -- were -- came up. I think that's just prudent business again you -- you think about you the investment we haven't them. The care that we give all our players it was no different. Then what any other player not in the red -- had gone through so. And in hindsight. There might not have been the the war. That he needed to put him on his own time. Burning offseason to build the foundation that every picture requires to withstand the work load that America would start and -- gonna go through here in the states.

You know John everything -- and makes a lot of sense and it makes you wonder there. He did everything that you're having a conversation with Daisuke. And -- possibly a translator. And it means one thing to you. And it means something completely different to him and that's where the the misunderstanding. Has arisen on his party thanks you guys are making him do something. Completely different and you say well now we're just adjusting to the challenges of other big league schedule and competitions strike zone. What have you think something. Pardon the cliche is lost in translation.

I would find that. I can't say that that's an absolute -- Well I would say -- for the amount of sit down conversation. The amount of communication that we have put Daisuke like all of our players to ensure that there's nothing lost in translation. Even -- those people to the point of -- basically an open for a little bit too -- situation we're not dictating a mandating. Items directly to Daisuke. The ability the opportunity. To provide his feedback has always been a -- out and walk. So for this to come out and student for that to come out as it has. I mean we recognize of their differences and we've worked diligently and Foley to try to bridge that gap. For them to come -- as they have now is in a word disappointing.

I I've this is not going to be hard but you speak better Japanese that I -- Which and I speak none. Do you know this term not the combing. Which I that's a Japanese cracked up a term for a practice of building up arm strength.

I'm not I'm not familiar would be the exact Japanese war. We are familiar with the norms and practices. That the Japanese pitchers go through and I want to be clear again met that freedom and -- people -- have been provided at all while four. As long as. The strength and the past results that we put all our picture through. Meet their minimum standard. Doesn't mean he's got a what would you allow pitcher who ramp up all you want is an an area that is somewhat of a red flag. That's just being negligent and are part what are struck back at Jon Lester John -- whoever might be. We look and I have specific. -- For every culture and Daisuke is no different now in theory might be that I'm gonna get my arbitrate despite calling. All we Filipinos they support structure the rest the body. To be able or that needs to be in a conviction of course strength flexibility and endurance. To support the the stresses that the throwing motion audit arm and going to be put through it doesn't matter to me and to our. It doesn't matter -- from Japan. The Dominican or mistakes we -- that that the human body has movement that would go through. That you've got a supporter with the overall conditioning and strength in addition to throwing what do you just take it from the opponent standpoint. I think you're getting to a point of diminishing returns and putting -- jeopardy of further injury and and that's what we felt all along that we try to educate them on. And we've gotten her extreme lengths. Because he has that Bible is that talented and -- the --

Because he is valuable and because he is talented my question is do you think. We are our closest thing Daisuke. -- back in the major leagues anytime soon this year.

We we are hopeful that he comes back in September because right now. The long -- program of reform program that he -- Which again is outlined a week to week with -- then port based on how we feel with -- strength and intensity level that is out on any given week. I think we have not found and put it. Target date at the marker in the near future to separate the two game or helping your back. In Boston for. And being attacked for the calendar. Sometimes called the pitcher or the player. To neglect how bodies still in the -- body's telling him so in -- in the stands. We're not letting direct it completely director. You certainly included in our planning and the progress of the prone --

You speak Japanese better than I do you also speak pitching better than I do. When you watch John Smoltz argue seeing things. Which which Parton you and it as far as going forward are you seeing things that are bothering you when you watch him.

Well I think the for everyone who watches games he pitches -- W read box or his people aren't score. It's less than we -- maybe initially anticipated. But when you look at the the stuff. The Christmas was about what exactly -- slider. Those have increased. Slightly each -- There are adjustment that John clearly have to go. And still have to incorporate and I and I think just from -- pitch execution standpoint because Java such -- Above average strike -- in opposing hitters know he's going to be around play. And a lot of time because of the ingrained and very successful approach taken and why not work guys pitched to the outside corner so much. Hitters have -- and knowing that is going to be a lot of plate and probably going to be on the outside part of the plate a majority of the time. When location of those fast ball because loose wire has been a pit that -- not really been hit all that much. It's it's centers around his fastball and when that locates that fastball has not been as consistent and he's less. So that area. Where -- are looking for and not fearing. A ball up and in the I'm -- arms. That's where you've got some hard contact his comment. But I I still believe and we still believe that an organization and as a staff here. But he is -- approach. Very productive game do you want bogon torturing their wish article that intent he's doing every work. That all the work that he needs to. Yes and you'll say he'd be the first to try it but he's frustrated because it hadn't happened --

John what do you think them the more significant adjustment is for John Smoltz. Learning a new way outside of the Atlanta -- or moving from the National League to the American --

Well there there's between different and I mean you know you look at the lineups that. And it could just gonna face here in the American League certainly American League east then there's not the reader that. You know that the nine alternate America as a unit nationally is gonna provide in the picture. There's a little bit more than actually provide a little more and ability to manage -- lineup that are facing a court to try on the 45 older. Then you can get into the sexual that are which. And it's not to degrade players and -- nationally but it's it's a different style game that we all are aware that. I think it's just a matter of John understanding that he's got a awhile or create some uneasiness in the hitters he's facing. -- in the box. And at the same time John as the only true some of the learning curve any pressure to come back after a surgery such as just had. They have to re learn themselves. Based on the type of stuff they have and how they're not all of the body responds how the action and could you respond particularly acute situation with men on base. And I -- the two -- have been well documented here and that's where his. Religious focus our focus is. -- on making -- necessary just.

Are you seeing the things that you wanted to see from Clay Buchholz when he came back to your Major League club from AAA is Clay Buchholz pitching the way you want him to.

I think players -- a great job -- meeting the challenges we face a year ago. You know there was some. A lot of attention a lot of emphasis placed on using his fastball. More then. Eat eat did a year ago he's done that I think he's done a great job with. Managing the situation as it unfolds. During the game and that's slowing the game down control his emotions. Still -- security pitches in those certain situations. There's been progress made a number of various. And he comes back to us you know that you gave to these scripts which obviously is on the mound again tonight. He has made strides in those areas then. It -- credit. He's learned from the challengers and I guess fortunate that it electoral you're going -- I don't think any different than a lot of guys that transition as a -- in --

No my favorite pitchers right now on on your team. Daniel -- A love watching Daniel Bard Pitt. Maybe because he throws a hundred miles an hour maybe that's it John I don't know. But hey can you tell it's about the progress Daniel Bard has made in the time that you better economy say the progress the last year and a half.

Well I think you have to go back for the transition to a -- what for the ball and make camera relievers probably the single most. Important thing is for. I Daniel not only. Getting to the mentally but how large not all I think he ability to command. And and I packed. For one inning to inning rather than trying to balance and patient -- six or seven innings. It loud and defying the and energy and effort level in the delivery. Better simplified as -- the -- that their that and all the all mindset. And it's obviously been very successful form. We also know and recognize some of the challenges -- faced when he was you know worked fine. And really an end table and had to go back down extend -- spring training in how to get rebuilt a little bit because the command issues work. Oh we're we're very evident but. You know you know that there is political dynamic here and being with Cleveland in in the position that. You know you oversaw a lot of guys coming into the system. When guys -- first round draft choice is a lot of times Thursday. And intangible there -- self induced pressure. Up hold. All the expectation that the first round draft choice wants that player realizes his goal of getting too big -- a lot of that pressure in the if it evaporates and it'll it's eliminated I think we're seeing some of that Daniel work he'd been able to relax a little bit more. He's been able to allow natural abilities to come out what worsening every time he walks around now. And he's just done a great job will lose I think people -- of the delivery and his strike throwing ability to me. But I questions that on the board last night that he admired the third innings. In the month of July 4 that sport -- on glass art with no walks to at least seventeen strikeouts. -- upper almost fantasy league yen and video game like numbers and it's just been great defeat -- the Altman here.

I somehow have a feeling when you get to work today there's going to be a full set a catcher's equipment your stall. And it's gonna try to make sure you stay safe in the dugout you know. Nothing happened.

At the well -- market it doesn't spell out of the -- thought about away it will solve all I don't know how I got that would -- ball last night because if you look at the annual of that ball had to travel. Ortiz is -- in front of me. He does sitting on the bench that Obama's perks there and somehow ball found its way through and it in the news so hopefully that doesn't pick pick which begin here tonight.

Say nobody was diving in front of the all the Xavier last night is really -- I spent.

Now I've ever wonder what Fred -- the -- my god they're not.

John we always appreciate your time thanks for taking the time talks and pitching witness. You got the letter and it's Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell I always know more when he's done and gas bars to break that down man can really talk about that.