Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Joining us on the AT&T hotline is the manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona is brought to you by Rockies ace hardware stores the sweet spot. For all your home page and lawn care projects Rockies -- project simplified. By -- make insurance it's not just tie you're covered its -- you're treated and by Bigelow tea Terry Francona it's green tea of choice good afternoon -- out.

In -- had -- extra -- but you'll -- there's very little bit of a tough day yesterday.

I'm I'm sure was I was -- you probably wouldn't wanna talk to us today after what we saw last night the night.

No I can't figure out why our team. Next Tuesday's -- ordered all of you guys don't Wednesday. Always happens next fall apart somebody's.

had a lot of callers to the show this morning ask us this question will ask you directly. What's your philosophy on defensive indifference especially in the late innings because it seemed like there were complications last night where may have big in the backside.

Almost like group that more work to explain to -- under Clinton and that'll tell you because there are certainly. Different for every occasion if you go back and tell me which one to talk about -- point.

Well if if Ellis is not on bird. Is it more likely Nick Green eats the ball instead of trying to make the play on Davis at first base for instance.

Okay but a ground ball that nick god if you call doesn't get -- My point so you're saying he would even have gotten the Barak who wouldn't want this and it.

We elect older film feeling almost through. Again there's it's different for every occasion. We have to determine. Whether -- with a runner on second especially with two outs. Okay if you don't right hand hitter if you -- elect to hold a broader. Are you give up some little hole at second did that -- the game with a ball that actually does beating its ground because I told him to. And the ball shop are not critical by -- but yet no chance. It's so anyway you're giving up ground in the middle and -- third baseman has to leave his ground to cover third. With the right hand hitter. In the winning run on second that 90% of the time to score basic anyway. I feel like that's too much to give up. So there's a lot of times we do we are in different towards that. I think -- good reason sometimes. Things don't work out I don't think when they don't war got a major wrong.

What was your what was your take on the two errors last night by nick Reno one. I say you know -- holds on to the baseball. -- he's not gonna he's not gonna. Lou is not gonna cause more problems on the other one I felt like he is a good throw could've beaten him at first -- what was your take.

First one he probably immediately. On the all the want bi pap or perhaps looked on the mound. -- two weeks around first it's just it's a little political and public unraveling. Situation or original law. All the more reason situation does not unraveling. What you probably. Tried to make a play that he couldn't try to finish supply. Interrupted the worst is now the runner chances but exploit got no choice -- Got to try to make the play. He almost made a fantastic play. And and the ball hit the broader and it's gonna talk that can be tired that's another rare because advanced II can't fault him that you -- try to make --

If Nick Green makes one of those plays I'm not asking you the following question but that's the nature of the beast I guess. And the question is who was there ever any consideration of a defensive replacement for Nick Green. Last night or any other night in the late innings.

Well what it was -- would you look -- Michael would you put a critic during -- Old nick at having --

I don't for the last two months I have look at the numbers.

I don't look at some. I'm curious why they're asking -- thank. Wire basket told a basket can be made two errors I'm.

Exactly -- juggle but Derek I think you're asked him -- not sure why I mean give duke makes it there tonight -- third -- particular outlook. I mean this guy's been maybe the best shortstop defensively last two months from the -- not probably exaggerating. But he's been very very good as soon as the damaged --

I don't I don't know I was saying that I was saying make an error and taken out of the game and state in general. I guess maybe the larger question is. What what is your are. Position line. Defensive replacements or are you saying that green is not a guy you replaced defensively because of the stretches at the last two.

I'm not sure what would would be he's become so comfortable out there he's got so much racial athletic. Mean -- again we don't we get we get urge you to lost in what happened last night he ranged down the line and caught a pop up. That nobody on our club -- And yeah. But because of the results of the game nobody remembers that debt to double would you what beta plated a directors have nobody else our ballclub makers.

We've looked at the at the numbers for Jonathan Papelbon this year I'm sure you've looked at things much more detail than we've looked at and is near as I can tell. The only real difference is walks have you figured out what's going on there.

That's exactly what it is it'll last night. There was a few things could happen. He came in last player has good stuff -- peddle your regular power it was fastball he had a good split. You gotta gotta coast real quick to guys these -- four times those were struck the ball four times. Tried to be a little too fine and lost him okay don't do we got literally. Guild -- when we didn't really dust -- anybody is what happened. You may domestic beverage group fastball right down the middle below the wall now is just a tension and then -- things happening get a jump shot that he slips and we can't. It would certainly deploy and then we get a ground ball that sold softly it would give it to -- so again. It did well when you walk people you you're asking for trouble we will Lola.

And beyond last night walks have been an issue for him this year. I know you've told us before that he's been trying to go back to a previous delivery has that that affecting is controlled.

What I don't think they've been an issue I think they're they -- more walks leader in the past. I still don't think -- wild. And you look at some of the close look at some of the relievers walked strike a racial -- still. Pretty good he just we don't we were more we've been accustomed to a couple of years of single digit walks over the course of the year which may not be realistic. Or may not be attainable every single year. And it's just there's a lot of stress and a lot of coincidences. And a lot of it's small sample sizes with relievers. That can lead to some some different types is that.

So the fact that it's the end of July and he's already got a career high in walks is not necessarily a cause of -- for concern you.

Won't vote no we definitely a lethal. -- he got the better but point is as a is that because of what he's done in the past. America and eat I don't believe you can match said every year -- just not be the way to get us.

That's you know there's so much going on yesterday between Jim Rice today at Fenway between trading deadline rumors the way the game ended. There's one other thing that that we haven't talked about today much and that is Daisuke his comments to a Japanese newspaper. We it would mention as we talked about yesterday were John -- that we just haven't. Heard your take on it what did you think of -- is common.

Well -- actually listen to John talked he does it'll probably pretty pretty much similar although on May actually have a better album or old -- them. We're disappointed electric we felt like it was leading there was. The goal. In -- room built a lot of communication that needed to happen it's not always. -- and -- golden you know again there's a lot of lot of strong personalities. That's what you need to have good players. I think we saw a little bit they only -- retreat or a colossal bet now saying that and we all said how we feel every other day and I've talked Dice-K probably -- Six times. And talk to begin exporting -- of the ballpark. And explain to him. How this was civil war and and how -- works is that. Not everybody's perfect myself include actually told the size was oh. Yeah that. We we all make mistakes. And what's important is how we move on after we make those mistakes. And you agree you'd actually great. I think he I think he owned up to the fact that it made a mistake. I think it transpired. A little bit differently than probably I understood what time. I don't think you ran out of a meeting in -- somebody invented. Think it was a little bit different regardless this still happened. -- But I -- bowl I think he's -- pretty good place actually and this mobile world. My job now is to -- to help get him gold. Or stay gold in the right direction and I think it actually feels like he's a pretty good place I don't it doesn't sound like it from most into theater -- but I think people pretty durable and so.

So so he doesn't feel like you you guys -- but it you guys have taken have taken some of his savings out of his shoulder. With your with your strength program he feels like. Your program is. It will help them be successful in the big leagues.

What's -- about from now -- I. Don't your column. These I I believe that this has been a they -- and take since he's gotten here and there's been a lot of give and take and there's been a lot of difference of opinions and and certainly we understand that I don't think we can expect it to try to -- completely different culture. Different learning Baptist and just buy into everything we say because we say it. Well at the same time. When you come to the United States in play baseball here there are different readers. From the schedule to what -- pitching. And and we we want this -- it'll hold up all the course of his career and just like every -- we talked about. Be successful. BP healthy and productive. And we know that there's a lot of things you have to do especially with your shoulder. To ensure that that happens. -- start becoming a week. And guys are accumulating innings you put them in danger of injury and we don't wanna do that.

I don't know if there's a written description job description for manager of the Boston Red Sox but it areas there's -- a line in their somewhere about. You -- to have difficult discussions at times with members of the team you've acknowledged that in the past you had to have some tough discussions with Julio Lugo. Does the acquisition of a guy like Adam LaRoche mean that you almost have to have some difficult discussions with members of your team again.

Most difficult is the right work. Maybe uncomfortable about the war. You know a guy like Mikey Lowell has been used to shoulder the ballpark voice technology at the lineup card you know hundred glances release -- but no he's playing. And then her for a while here now we -- we're gonna have to tell him -- he's -- not put up disabling local -- You know it's it's it may not be perfect in their -- but that doesn't mean we can't wait. That doesn't actually mean we can do a better team. -- we just have to. Don't we have I need to make to communicate. And make this work and make people understand or help people understand. How this is gonna work com. It's against sometimes. And that's partly so does the job description. I have no problem that. You know again we all the things we talk about it water board guys gold in one direction and put the team had a themselves and now it's time to -- to live up to that.

We've talked in the past about how selfless Kevin Youkilis is on your team. Place first place third is great defensively at either position hits anywhere in the batting Marty asked him to. Can he almost become an unwitting victim of this as well because it's probably easier for him if you say Kevin your first baseman Kevin Iraq third baseman but you can't do that now.

I think he's what he doesn't he mixed art team a lot better because of his versatility. And his willingness to do what he -- appreciated a told him. I don't -- for granted it makes our team better because he can do that and he is willing to do that. So. That's step stuff poker player.

And -- you said earlier I think it was over the weekend he said you couldn't wait until that. Trade deadline that was overeat -- exhale again well what did you mean by that what wired or are you looking forward to the deadline passed.

What I've actually been tech couldn't wait -- it would probably glad when it's all relative it'll -- cholesterol RS Internet trying to answer a lot of questions. With the media. An -- explaining in the room the other day or yesterday did know. Every person we just rolled out tree did you guys the media. And I am pretty. To a lot of conversations with real soul I can't tell you that I know what's gonna happen. But there's a lot of it is unlikely idol it's not gonna happen. And it's just it just did speak tips off. A life of its own here and everybody start throwing stuff out and -- in -- players good. I think it like him not to put their human angered deal with -- their baseball lives and it just to know if it's sometimes. We don't want to give away but it certainly doesn't help.

Tell us one that's not gonna happen.

I -- tell you about a hundred that are gonna happen to just. It's just you know dispute that just probably nature of the beast now with what all the people who are trying to Domonique. Names for themselves and have to have opinions. In today's media -- what you're gonna terms.

Well this part of the discussion leads us into today's Mohegan sun's lunch with Tito questioned. It comes from Sean bond belly -- from Waltham who asks.

They -- to take my question what are our profile player is traded such as many -- I imagine they're notified by bit. Aging parents -- interaction with view after -- had been traded and who notified they're looking in that slot protect my question.

Well first well you I think you -- more high profile are there any player -- treated or bull percent down. Is communicated to edit against Obama depends on. Where we are therefore at the ballpark. And that independent fielder with a B of -- Rivera also. If if fields. It'll sometimes there are some. Bombs -- securities with agents just out of out of courtesy. We try to do we -- right we -- beyond all the players. And we try to be polite and courteous sometimes you have to give -- little wanna hear but it doesn't rekindle respectfully.

A bad guys see it coming and if if they say if you say to them. I wanted to not view in my office and is July 31 and it's 330. And they're probably a little unsettled about what you wanna talk about.

Well there's a lot of that going around now anyway yielded it is a little bit unsettling around here that's just the way it is part of this because. For the Red Sox or player a lot of things which I think excites the -- a median. Again. You know audit my office doors opened sold watched that we try to not have that. That feeling around here particularly Dicey my door -- expect -- going on and it can also we try to keep it open as much as possible.

Michael mentioned it briefly but I did want at least get your take on it you have the opportunity to be apart of some pretty cool things at Fenway over the last few years. What was your take on the retirement of Jim rice's number last night.

Yeah I think we do something like no other place when I say we don't mean to to stick around for the Red Sox I mean. People are the ball -- defend this entire region. These are some of the things I'm sure some very also Q and when I'm done. Because that's pretty special lights were pretty special -- And they do what -- record anyplace that I just part of what makes this place in my mind so special. It is apparently gadgets. You know we don't have the monster race week. We just have people in this area the -- baseball and that's probably what I like -- which one.

Not you played four a long time. For a lot of different teams. Do you remember. Playing against Jim Rice and does anything stand -- you.

Just kidding what those guys last night were there to dugout. When Jim was in his heyday I was a younger player and and then event in the national -- I really didn't play against him may be in spring training in -- what are they even. But I was to those guys -- dugout to develop that so much about jump and my answer was that I always watch for Atlanta. Because Freddie was it left -- hitter and center fielder and edit page where I want to be a Bradley and don't Jim Rice was the most dominating offensive force and -- I loved Freddy Lynn and I think for the go to catalyst like.

See I was as a high school baseball player and a center fielder. He was the guy wanted to be too friendly and with much more attainable not that he was attainable for me I'm just saying. He was a guy could realistically watch and an emulate I couldn't simulate Jim Rice who -- one of the best there's ever saw.

Yet determined to write a little monster. Into his stint at the very. But already pretty little slut candidates move moving it -- wanted to be that particle board didn't come close -- It was some needed for a -- don't high school of computer this kind of skinny. You know somebody to look at washing -- Buick.

You know what this means Tito you remember young Fred -- they'll remember as a young -- that you guys are old.

Both Atlantic we'd be remiss if we didn't ask. Last night because of situations in real life David Ortiz -- in the park Yemeni any idea what a lineup gonna look like tonight.

Yeah you can actually ward -- David Kennedy anyway that had nothing to do it last night. Anderson has everything to do that today to discuss them. David that you need to get to the hospital that took my teacher's daughter was okay all right. Not only understand it I'm ready to leave that's just awareness I have no qualms about that. Somebody you'll second guess that they're more than welcome to do that. A little wrote -- first what you could third quarter DH Mike you'll. -- partner is Mike to play it last night and actually it was only about proposed that will let him be a little bit more force to get to left handers. If we beautiful night that we can spread it around the morals would play at third. And just keep line up opposite field could help a wise and also produces.

Always appreciate time hopefully these next 48 hours on -- Let you know that daycare Terry Francona. Manager of the Boston Red Sox brought to you by Rockies ace hardware stores the sweet spot for your home lawn care projects Rockies. Projects and applied -- them -- insurance it's not just you're covered Michael dale. The -- treated. Hassle and that the quality Terry Francona three team choice. Finishing up with the the nuts and bolts here but being selected today for our Mohegan -- lunch with -- question Sean on -- oh. As -- an overnight stay at Mohegan Sun a pair of tickets to see them blues. This is yeah I know we rarely go them is on August 16 at Mohegan Sun arena. And is now -- the end of the season grand prize lunch at Fenway with Terry. And the -- show that -- It's like that was ever be honest with. Com. Justice rock general and visit the -- patent WEEI dot com to submit your question for Terry. With -- brought you by Mohegan Sun. A world like this man's prize.