Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Broadcasting from the developed world headquarters building. In joining us on the AT&T hotline is the manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona. Terry has brought to -- Iraqis ace hardware stores the sweet spot fraud your home paint and lawn care projects. Rockies your project simplified. By a make insurance it's not just tiger covered Michael. It's how you're treated on Wednesday and by Bigelow tea Terry Francona screen team choice take Terry I don't. I'd bet you are right I hear the commercial you do that -- at the dugout for a lot.

While little -- it man. You -- about it. There's doubts about -- I do. And great people are screwed great people. Are a lot of.

before we get into all the other stuff everybody wants that -- What the hell was Pedroia assay -- in that dugout after the second home run last night.

It was. -- You just funny he's just a funny kid. And he did I don't know auditors to both going to come out of his miles so fast. And I'd probably forget -- camera also pilot probably our laps but he just. It is funny he just he wants to win so bad but he's got a little believable. Personality and that is you know it but -- humble and meek and they're funny but he's probably most humble kid you'll only.

And I guess it's just one of the guys. He's got the personality where he can get away with saying it and it's and it's not offensive or somebody else says that you say.

And that's exactly that's exactly right and then but then I think everybody does come in contact with him most of us how humble he is. He just he just likes to sleep things but -- give. Everybody on this team. You know anything out of that locker I'm real -- that the current attributes.

It's funny because like when he played the World Baseball Classic. And and in All-Star games it's funny hearing. You know opponents who were then teammates talking about a I think they all go wind -- expecting to hate the guy and they can't.

Not a but I don't think that even anymore I think they know now I think very know what's going on and I don't hotel like just maybe would cheer we don't want him haven't some. -- don't -- October day. Because it doesn't about -- wall other times I think teams doled -- That thing they need to stay away from that. I think we've also seen his. It is did now a couple of years and what he's done and I think they're starting to understand what is about nothing big. They probably get a kick out of him until he affects the game and in heroic -- is pretty good.

Hit a pretty unusual player for from his height and and his in his swing in the -- that you expect a guy. At at five bid estimate 58 or 59. That's a little hope that's a little generous you but a guy that size two. Have a different type of swing and different type of game what what did you think when you first. Saw his swing.

At the first I saw -- each blow your shoulder up fifth in spring training clearly was fat overweight not Saban. Took once when we're playing a Minnesota would take among the game -- what you're going to be tidbits. Blood you know again that's why you you can certainly not you can make some mistakes if you let a first impressions spring training -- Bureau or bought some in the organization that spoken to so glowingly of this tidbit. That would've been about the state -- his first professional -- not knowing. Not understanding yet but he learned in a hurry and he's he's still war again he continues to -- but.

Another guy that the organization has spoke glowingly up in the past Israeli shelling is something here over the last. Month or so and Clay Buchholz another strong performance for you last night. Making a real bid to be not only at a regular contributor to this rotation but but an important one.

He had kind of need on base when he throws -- work you know you look not just supposed to try to win the game that day. Of the organization gold forward it is the glass circuit looks slot or faults -- mean he he's young he's durable. He has that ability to put up zeros. -- it's exciting there's no way to get around it but to say it's exciting.

What's different about him this year from even last year Terry when when he was with yet.

Well last year things snowball. There's still is for things happen agreements there was a lot of things or happened and he just couldn't crawl. Over the game was going so fast. Because not and went right and now. We use it used to have the ability to slow the game down low but it still happened summoned again and up so victor -- volumes and homer put all the ball the first particular. Which is good. But then he has the ability also to do that which is good. He's he's pitched as things start to slow down and he's able to use his effectiveness. -- pitches. And there's not a lot of other things swirled around out there which is terrific.

We haven't talked to you since last Wednesday so a couple of things we gotta go backwards here for a second. Want to ask you first -- Friday night's loss. To the White Sox twelve to two and I'm wondering from a manager's perspective when you're in a game like that he gets out of hand early. Is that your your worst case scenario because you're thinking about. Filling those innings and if if you're down in the second or third inning they've already gotten nine runs reduced at that point you thinking about saving your bullpen.

Yes you think about favorable -- on the road in the bullpen and what players to get out early one to get a mile. You know it will be easier to September because you have all the bodies to do that we did the same thing last night but we erupt in blob -- but order out. Just trying you know losses or bad but it'll when you try to minimize the damage and losses -- not you know have a tired player keep playing -- Suitable penalty that doesn't need to -- so we're just trying to. Stayed focused and do what we things right -- doesn't make the next thirty must offer.

Managed to go back way back -- last Wednesday eight to five loss to the rays. And and remember -- critical point of the game bases are loaded. Alex Gonzales is at the plate now for me I'd say normally. Now maybe you would pinch hit for outs Gonzales that situation but you've been hot. I say keep them in the game. Other people disagree with me that the day afterwards that you put Michael in the in the practice runs scored and -- pitched. Did you think about. Pinch hitting Gonzales in that situation.

Idea dipping school -- you gotta go way back. Weeks years we will I think -- five before. Bases loaded when he came up with one out -- wild pitch to run him is that correct okay. And it was very lefty I believe over the left field amount.

was the Bradford out there not at all in the Bradford I don't know it was I think it was Carl. But it I think you're right and you don't.

Because we all we have David not a lineup already we'd run for him law old -- DH for us that it only came around and -- But you're probably right we certainly -- for Alex there we have a lot of instances but didn't think down the right time. Garcia squared up I think on itself and about five balls. Really well on the on balls well well. Again if we get that game type which we did need our best Vicente of player and if you get lawless situation and we get a double play which is one college rule it good that. Could you got that good off speed. Don't foresee that a guy up there that's not the fast scuttled so I just didn't think it was right thing to do.

And I think earlier in the game. They got Gonzales had laced one into the gap.

Yeah and he also lined out to left field like that it. He had scored up five I think five on -- governor about his legal balls which again got to take that into consideration because the other guy we could --

Let me ask you about Gonzales because he felt the -- came back to the Red Sox with a reputation of being. A spectacular glove and not much of a hitter. Fact of the matter is in the 22 games he's played for yet he's hit 289. He's got I think four home runs he's knocked in. You know what I forget how many eight or -- like that has he performed better offensively than you expected.

Or done very well debate regarding those going to be streaky. Because he's going just about you know the -- of Milwaukee at guys that Bill Walker going to be very streaky he's also very good streak now. You know when that changes. -- And we have the ability yet because we have some guys the bench Kotchman Redick guys like that somebody not play and that -- if he's not hitting it. Do these picks posting away. Tiger right now he's been tremendous applause -- force.

What has the stability of his defense done for your team.

Ought to do what discussed it's given stability. Mean when the ball hit that direction route. And that's a nice -- Public opposition more than any other field that you put it -- Pedroia. And you guys you know good teams talk about being strong up the middle you've got to look maturation of felt very. Real suddenly become pretty strong.

What what do you think Jon Lester has become a and he does a lot of things but. He really has become a strikeout pitcher in addition to the things. He's done well in the past why do you think that is.

Well I think to be reduced nobody is putter got such power to -- that to right hand hitters you know it it's they've got a -- pick one you know if you. If you try to hit -- You're you're not going to make it is towel early to dust dirt -- it. Accepted you Lester. About five miles are more about all you just can't hit bowl -- got that two seam movement they -- a lefty the current state under the bat. He's got the slower curve ball that -- changeup he's got a lot of different weapons that he is harnessing for strikes and and hitters have to respect that and they just take a poll.

In a way is is the increase in strikeouts he's got -- four of on this here. In a way isn't it almost a bad thing because it increases his pitch count so much.

Well again -- you know would I don't think I would say that I mean we would certainly want to pitch count but. Detonated it guided strike people out there could probably going to -- no way to get around out but I. I don't think don't really want blood that conversation with a mccombs start up front people out -- exploit not a good conversation --

I would -- talked Salome. Right around the time of the radio time. And you know obviously came in -- beating cancer but in. And that conversation he said he thought he was the same when he came back he -- he felt like the same old John and then. The next year he figured out now wasn't the same at all. I'm a much bigger and stronger than I was coming back from cancer you could see that it was in its -- easy. He's a different guy looks like he's put on about fifteen hurt or twenty pound and a good way.

Yeah guy's shoulders look bigger broader it from the back when do you want them videotaped. And we told him now he came back when it's hard because guys are competing. And that's part of the reason they're good. But he wasn't back and and it was tough freedom that we have a have a lot of tough conversations with I don't remember -- told you guys like a cult parents are like almost supporter really tiger wagers on. They like -- they just they do we're going to try to Carroll the -- is slowing down a little bit there really was tough for him. But he got through it -- Pruitt and now we're seeing the real Lester that it took awhile but I think we're. Anybody was crazy you think that you're going to come back into the finished product after all he went through.

Let's talk about the other guy at the top of your rotation. Back when when Josh Beckett was turning things around early in the season. He mentioned that it's not the sort of thing that just happens overnight you don't you know just Collison -- there and and dropped a three hit shut out on somebody. Are you seeing especially after his last outing that same sort of turnaround from his recent little speed bump here.

Yeah I think it was better model would back an -- better I think it is always reasons that things happen and it'll. We passed around this this blog around -- Club ultra left couple weeks and and Beckett just do it just didn't silver strong -- prince picked. Visceral a host meaning it's not that big -- but he doesn't but he was a -- Nobody culprit powerful -- reach back for more there's just a lot of things could go into it's never just one thing I think he's starting to come out of that I don't think he's still felt very strong the other day. What is all had some bull but he trusted himself a little bit more. It also get most are good things. Again we need Beckett we we all know that I don't think that you could have 36 straight start work all of us but. When it comes down to what we're all bad not Beckett because we we -- about we believe in him. It's again sometimes it doesn't go to what you want to that doesn't mean it won't.

You ever think you spend so much time. Paying attention to what are your former teammates mean. Texas is on your heels for the wild car race and in their led by Ron Washington you played with. In Cleveland would you ever think that. This team would be I I guess I'd what I'm Sanders I didn't did you expect this team to be so competitive in September.

I don't hold that I really thought about it that much every week that it I can't feel they've had a great year. And and they continue to and there's reasons why it'll -- paid attention to their particular bullpen. To match spout off that sold now but it August September and it's hard. They have a reason deployed. And they continue to do that it's very obvious -- going to be of the interest rates. I'm glad. -- wash -- certainly don't want them to beat us but I'm glad to watch some some success can be a good front month. It'll be over it's it's. That's what makes this game great you don't Moeller is always going to come from them. You know disgruntled part of what we seem to we've been pretty consistent in being. In the race. Doesn't guarantee anything. But you know again we respect other teams with the doesn't mean -- think we can be.

now I know Tito for a fact I mean we we knew before. Back in the eighties but now -- for the fact for a fact the Cleveland Indians. Were completely dysfunctional terrible baseball team. But look at some of the baseball minds that we're on this team with with Tito Tito won two championships. Ron Washington on that team got John Farrell's between Bud Black is on that team. Buddy Bell pretty good baseball my -- coach could get a.

Yeah yeah. Yeah I gotta believe that speaker -- as doubtful worst teams. I've ever been on I think that's what to Mota will be -- because it was very bad team. But also this -- we altogether. And and we made the best of it and we we were pretty loyal to each other and we. There's a lot popular and it was not an easy year blood there were some pretty amazing people as you just kind of alluded to made it worthwhile.

Obviously you know physical problems are are things that everybody has to fight through but it almost sounds as though. Tim Wakefield is almost going to have to close this season as a spot starter for you the way things ago.

Yeah that -- About right action we had a nice meeting yesterday accountable like he wanted to try to do it'll make just make sure everybody's on the same page which I think we are. We got a date kind of sat down a ball to more than he could pitch. I'm sure you'll you'll. He'll try to throw enough to station are not -- too much or it aggravate that that backed. Brown probably receive another epidural before that. That to be determined when you -- we get the most. And combined for Barca. -- we'll just have to go from there about the only way we can do this and he understands that he's willing to try -- The doctors have assured him that if he pitches he's not going to put his back. You know further in danger or British career so again everybody knows what -- rampage is -- to see where that -- to.

Time now for Mohegan -- lunch with Tito today's question comes from Danielle O'Connell -- Quincy Massachusetts who wrote in. I recently read Red Sox rule and I was particularly intrigued by the portion that discussed Terry's days as Michael Jordan's minor league coach. With Michael being inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame this weekend. I was wondering if there is anyone on the current Sox roster that matches and Jays intensity when it comes to every day competition.

Well. Talk about Michael Jordan maybe arguably the single most competitive person in the world. -- his true reachable. I think our our guys I've been around -- are Pete Rose and probably Pedroia. And I think when you look at. Those names is probably not accords that you look at Pete Rose and its leader -- baseball. -- he's sort of been the MVP at a young age. But I mean Michael had that ability in. There really -- rare ability which are also talking about -- there were -- between Rose and Pedroia pretty rare players in the world right.

And and and Jordan just a follow up on that Jordan was not a a baseball player it just could just point out to people. How how rare it is for somebody who was -- a great basketball player or great in another sport. Even the go to baseball and hit 200 in the minor leagues that's not easy to do it.

I I was amazed -- would what -- didn't -- it was fashionable to be very critical article that time and I didn't agree with that. He was fourteen years removed from complaint high school baseball he -- to -- right. And he actually going to lowest batting out bushels -- but he did not robots when it -- belongs point. But he held his own league stole thirty bases and drove in 58 and hungry to lower it respected the game everything that I -- ever ask he'd be a and I appreciate that a lot and are you don't want to fall with a but he was actually get better and I honestly believe if you political Warriors. He'd a found a way to get to the big leagues. By his baseball merits not by his name. Because I know just from being around for one year but many utility -- no -- Sergio --

Let's be honest any question that includes a plug for Red Sox rule is probably going to gets elected anyway right. How are at don't want to lose -- Wasn't they had -- up.

Bloated if there would have been any kind of rider and a little -- Some daylight -- for tonight. -- How would a long third. Give victor. A -- night at least the beginning of the night got into the older what is -- which -- bat -- and -- the best but wouldn't -- tomorrow I think -- do -- a lot of good he's caught a lot. I think -- really good for.

You gotta practice squad that late night club must tocchet.

While not very little about what Baltimore bullet when their -- when their bullpen will -- down. Before the game it looked like a football. That's awful legend are going to have go both men this rule because it's it's -- crazy.

Tito always appreciate Tamil tucked in next way up to take -- Terry Francona brought to you by Rockies ace hardware stores the sweet spot for all your home -- and lawn care projects Rockies here project simplified. By a -- insurance it's not just -- covered Michael Ellis -- treatment and by Bigelow -- Terry Francona screen T of choice by the way for being selected with today's question. And for injecting a blatant plug for Red Sox roll dead O'Connell has one an overnight stay at Mohegan Sun and is now letter to win the end of the season grand prize. Lunch at Fenway with Terry and the dale and Holley show -- the dale and -- page on WEEI dot com to submit your question for Terry lunch with Tito is brought to you by Mohegan Sun. A world that play.