Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Broadcasting for the developed world headquarters building. And joining us on the AT&T hotline is the manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona. Terry has brought to you by Rockies ace hardware stores. The sweet spot for all your home plate and on care projects. Rockies your projects simplified by -- insurance it's not just -- covered. It's how Daisuke is treated on his return and replace them I'd Bigelow the Terry Francona is dream team of choice good afternoon --

guys know what's going on a much -- dormant Greinke and at the same time. Everyday. Italian a lot of international soccer or oral creature about it rounder -- older much I don't do it is not by the --

And that guy who pitched for you last night looked a whole lot different than the guys up pitching for -- June.

Look good you really looked good. -- we're trying to stay away from you know oh look at the blast to all of doubtful not dependent on -- last night which are certainly a shot they are. He's -- stayed in his delivery the entire night. What before he left. All of which is close cutter fastball overall consistent one slot. And he repeated his delivery in the bulk him up pretty Chris. It was very -- Agassi.

We all know about the newspaper article we've talked about it and and you guys talked about it what what was the what was the best thing to you come out of those conversations in your opinion guys --

It took us and we always try to have happened want something doesn't goal when we want to make it better. I think we're. Are crazy we think that everything is gonna goes smoothly your everyday. But -- some. Doesn't go smoothly okay hardy react to a party make -- better that would try to talked all about and I think we've made a lot of good at what we learned a lot I think you learn a lot. It was due to -- Colombian -- that's that's all idea doesn't mean that can own game it's not always perfect that's probably not ever going to be. But how you react to that -- their culturally important.

After that that conversation did you. Let me make trumpet in the threat way. Did did you guys allow him to do something that he was. He was wanting to do or. Maybe did he say okay I'll make that concession you guys have asked me to do this before and I can see where you're coming from maybe I need to start doing this whatever what.

It's it's probably not quite easy uses is that Michael -- out of a long couple. We spent a lot of time Daisuke. Brochure. Out what we really get in a nutshell. What do you don't we all believe he wants withdrawal walked okay we're okay with that as long as his shoulder and his body. Can handle the stress in the in my and then tolerated. And he wasn't able to before it was very evident. Probably to blame it also told -- got to Florida we gave him some direct. Guidelines and we said if you did to these guidelines. You can -- war world table that we understand that he thinks he can be a better pitcher. The more roles were not against can be a better pitcher who won his shoulder to build a tolerate the amount of Burlington stressed that it that editorials and he's got a much better job of.

And even beyond the mechanical stuff which you would know much better than either of us what. He just at his pace was better it was get it and throw it he didn't seem to be nibbling -- seemed confident. The things that that are a little a little more touchy Feeley looked different to me.

Well again I hit a couple guys -- to walk -- you're gonna see that that's. Possibly be -- it was not gonna give him. On the open before he came -- the game at Clemson 56 foot fastball that's gonna happen. Repeat spectrum Bob registered loose couldn't the -- a goalie backers sometimes. But saying that this could compare -- there's no getting around it. -- when he's able to settle down get a rhythm. Games locker speed up this in big games for us and to pale all the world. You know again I come back because won a lot of games and -- and -- not always been the way we've -- What these the ability to win a lot of games and in this day and -- finding pitching is very difficult.

And maybe this is. I guess this is an indication of how thorough of the throwing program -- with the Red Sox throwing conditioning and and strengthening programs. Because he's been away for a long time and it took from the spring until September. Before you guys were comfortable putting them out they're pretty pretty complete program --

Well -- yeah and then the other thing was as we're trying not to put a band -- on something and they'll -- hard on. One -- to swallow because going to talk about a got a won eighteen games Lester and wore them. The middle generation we have guys going down and trying to plug holes and we felt like -- plug that would Daisuke earlier and -- response to we're gonna put a band they don't on the didn't need to be we need to getting back and have -- have a chance. To be successful for bottle he'll spark not only two starts. Not only the rest of the year but next year -- the year after that that's why we were -- girl on the.

I know this is a subject which probably -- you know. Concerns you every single day and probably get asked every single day but where is Tim Wakefield right now.

What that's a top point. He he -- side yesterday threw about 3035 pitches. We're gonna meet again today would awaken the medical staff it's it's really difficult area. What where we had gotten to was as long as he wasn't having gained strength deficit. Nobody felt like he was in jeopardy -- we all -- hurting we although there's a problem but we didn't like he was put himself in any jeopardy. Well that deficit is increasing a little bit. So now we have to get together again and again with the medical staff -- things that we don't understand. And figure out what's -- week's best interest. Do we know look at our best interest it's trying to -- wake on the mound. Even when he's not a 100%. Okay in the renowned fairness to everybody involved it's if there's more to a -- that sold out again today and try to figure out what the best course of action.

It's probably some indication of the person that he is that he's trying so hard to give you something. When the easy thing for him to do would be to just say you know what TO I got shut it down.

And -- and we may get to that again we may not but. I think that some of it has to at least be discussed but the thing that were kind of hanging onto an epic -- used to is that. If he needs surgery which I think is looking more and more likely. It's not something we're trying to gain an -- by doing it quickly so we can be ready for spring training what you have a -- cut and -- they would remove it and he'd get better so -- again the time element isn't as big as -- some other situations. So that's why we have tried to give us a chance. Because it's not gonna -- in the spring training next year.

You know it happens probably five. Ten times a year and Diaw can back me up on this do you guys losing one run game. We'll get some phone calls the next day why don't they play small ball while they do this while they blonde. And we usually say well you know it'll really plays as much importance on the but as you do then. Last night to make us look bad so.

Larry's and we did it -- all that hard to leave so yeah I'm not you don't look there's times when. Again the game I think dictates. Maybe get the bunt down there's also times when I know that people clamor for and I don't think it's -- our best interest. And that may be because the -- we haven't second and maybe the -- we have on deck. It might be this situation the game -- a lot of different reasons why we choose to do things I just saw last night the way the game was progressing. The bills with a chance frost them make some happened and it and fortunately bit now if you Lackey feel so ball cleanly -- bumper comic. Bowl gimmick and goal hundred doorways so we -- we got a break there on the bunt.

You said the way the game was going it was it was with the score for him it was it means that -- that's the obvious reason was that something else you saw that you said okay. This is the right time for.

Well we didn't have a lot colon and Lackey was -- and very well and the I like the guys that we were gonna put them when it -- If he gets up bunt down there are gonna have to make some decisions. If they wanna pitch around somebody -- like the guy we had come about. That's the biggest thing -- Brussels once -- You don't use your there's a pretty good chance article walked a guy that you want to get sold out a lot of times up what we don't want.

And after that home run into the right field bullpen I don't know match and Pedroia thinks he should ever be bunting anyway.

It's actually are made and I know that we go back and forth a lot but he plays the game bottoms while dictating and I mean his ability to. To see things that -- easily lookin' at me before he looks good moral last night he understand the situation he just wants to know so we can prepare himself he I'm dramatized on third there's no we don't get under I don't at turtle a lot of outward display employee and to put out orders. To come to light amid a never seen an infielder. People have to get his attention. Were to move him and defensively but it -- I don't talk about it every week we're lucky to have him I mean he's one of a kind you know you talk about Jeter. Guys like that this is the same yet he's the same player and I hope we've been in this same uniform I am prolong --

You know he hit the home run to right at Yankee Stadium and I almost debunk that because everybody said about the right feeling Yankee Stadium but only hit into the bullpen.

He's got some jokes to hit that thing that far.

Nobody really doesn't the infected DC is basically conceded -- on route thirty just cracked. I've been -- as shocked as anybody he may tell you definitely he's picked up balls go to speaking at a ball and he may never hit another ball to right field. But it got the job done I think -- one how we're all kind of surprised we're. That they have brought the right fielder in takeaways the sacrifice fly so we knew it was going to be over his head. And how could not -- about point of fact it'll about that is that maybe bury all the much better.

his first your baseball he was rookie of the year second your baseball. MVP. It's tough to improve from there but -- asked the question has he improved and and if so and in what category.

Actually think he has in his leadership. Value. To this team is growing by today when he's taken this team. And and he's he's in charge of a -- don't we just you know -- Oberto and other captains. And he's very worst be -- never catch. And there's been a lot of guys here's the better for a long time Mike Lowell Ortiz. -- you're seeing guys like Youkilis and Pedroia. And that's not a all of that they're young guys that are understanding their responsibilities. And there on the field every day. And it's a good thing if not a bad thing at their joint and tendon in the in the leadership role it's -- better.

Do you think it from your experience and based on all other sports are different protests from from being a Major League club Major League clubhouse as. There's your captain does your leader have to be a vocal guy or does that or does he have to be. Your best player and not necessarily a vocal player but I you know lead by example.

I'm not sure but either because our instance. -- not very local police 'cause some people listened but not very loud. And and again on Monday probably not but you -- best hitter having like that but he's he's our captain for a lot of different reasons there very worthy and very deserving. People feel that promote. To give the best agree. Companies not in the literal holes you just. He's served that purpose very well their problem he addresses and it might -- all the way. But he addresses that not only just haven't.

go back to 2004. And the deadline deal that you guys made. But it just solidified the infield defense and and probably made everything that happened in 2004. Possible. And I'm starting to feel the same way about the acquisition of of Alex Gonzales and how it just settled the whole infield defense completely.

Yet it's funny how some -- still a lot of attention some don't really additional victory was obviously huge and deservedly so but getting Gonzalez -- really. Given up some convoluted. That's that's not taken away everything from bickering he did a great job for us. -- and we've been through a million time he's a non roster guy it makes our team and when we needed help he gave us all. But when you get a guy like gone so it has solidified that so much. And it's it's made is better all all over the place. More world to different team right now the world or -- it it feels good.

Well what's the biggest difference do you think.

Well when you hit it commodore defense is playing very very well which is enabling our pitching to look better. You know productive extra outs were argument extra opportunities. And we played Tampa they're they've doubleheader with the -- about her well but we won both camps. We -- and Condit and we've looked like a sharp -- and that's a good way to play.

Did you see the footage of the the Yankees Toronto brawl last night.

I act I and I never know -- win these things happen what the effect is on a team positively or negatively in your experience. Have those things help cheer teams in the past or hurt them.

You hate to ever stated you know you need you need help by some like bat. Nice spot in 04. When the big thing with the Yankees -- actually thought that help bring it together a little bit we needed something. We just kind of stuck in neutral. Maybe it did help subtle little maybe do little personality. I don't know I saw a lot about confused you know again I think some people made some mistakes and they'll probably pay for. Topic they affordable --

But so what what -- confused by the fact that they had a fight.

I don't give -- think it was you know the way people react I think of that that you back it probably would not think they said as much you know post sometimes things get out of -- it. It just happens if you -- their report Newman and you caught up in the moment sometimes do things don't wanna do.

your scoreboard watch and been gone -- you've said before you know you watch the scoreboard is right there you enjoy this time of year. How's it been for you watching these games.

Well I -- a token coming. Again I get so caught -- put our game but in between innings all expected glance and it's not just in our -- I check on the Brewers of CL market stolen in Europe and know they've had a tough time. Don't just I just you know just a way to relax -- you don't know you always have those starters -- like who pitches and then it's just the gives us on the talk about this probably will be realized.

And and let your I don't know how you answer this question but I'll ask it anyway when when you have a team chasing you in their game or two behind you. There there's some pressure there and and there are some tension. When have a five and a half game lead like you do right now does that affect the way you're looking at the week ahead I mean does that give you a little more. Room to --

I mean I understand your point -- we we do have more room to -- but we don't we don't change anything. If we did I think you're setting yourself up for for -- not a success but we need to do all the things that we state every day of the year we need to live without. -- we need to play our game. Do the best we can't. And then you don't look up. And you look up to see what the other teams -- don't want you know I want everybody to lose I don't -- possible. What. You look up some like some kind of merely were everything to loose cut an -- we haven't done that yet but we're working on.

You're five and a half ahead in the wild -- six and a half behind for the division. Does it. Does it make a difference is. Is is winning the division the one thing you need to do or is getting. Well if you had to break it down winning the division to get to the policies are just getting to the post season as their preferences are.

We -- postseason is obviously -- priority. Doctor -- amazing is would you salvaged they were behind the Yankees -- it seems -- behind them at at comedy -- we had them. -- Doesn't seem like very -- don't you think that's I think that's however what it feels so you never you know you'd never feels safety just. You know you're never feel comfortable out -- part of the reason that we -- the way people compete. Is is not over anxiety or worry you know just just never feel comfortable just keep keep plugging away.

Time now for Mohegan -- lunch with -- today's question comes from Yale of one of marble head. Who asks.

They Tito congratulations -- a great season it seems like the Red Sox and playing a lot of extended innings in the rain this year. And I was just wondering. Who does the rain affected more hitters. The pitchers are the guys in the field thanks for taking my question.

Don't nowadays I don't think it affect you guys have still too much. The name of the field brawl in order of the modern drainage in the even -- old ballpark -- just field play great you know look what you'll see a pole for the -- another that's pretty good I think the hardest thing it's for the better because they you know they're they're trained. In a routine. And again like we talked -- of those old routine oriented. And the game delayed -- stopped at pocono sort of golf and the routine is kind of thrown off kilter so I think it's tougher on the the the pitchers to position players to wait around and stuff but. You don't want they can they don't have the responsibility of the game on their shoulders they just have to go play repetitions I think especially council protection.

we asked you last week about Michael Jordan he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame. And and this week now we've we've seen his Hall of Fame speech and wondering if you caught it and if you did what you thought.

like didn't see it and I've heard some comments about it. Sounds like -- have a little bit of a chip on his shoulder felt right way to put it -- but I didn't see it read I read about it. And what I read surprised willow bit. But it's hard to comment. Because I didn't actually see it. I mean I read some names like Buzz Peterson and and I -- how high -- Michael thinks of a guy like bonds. -- he credits him with a lot of things have happened in his life and his mom and dad so again I didn't really you don't Williams are reading things third hand it's a little bit -- to comment. But a lot of those names that I saw and only had a great deal respect.

Yeah it's funny a lot of people word word taken aback by. His should we ought to Cubs -- they were taken aback by his competitiveness the fact that he let his guard down.

Alternative and entry -- I I. I get I don't get whether it was -- Jordan.

This is the most competitive person. That's ever lived. I'm not seeing some break ping pong tables. I'm seeing him break tennis racquets these big baby when you lose -- I mean that's why you have to -- very much of any of that kind of count any of that title wilt away and he doesn't think he's ever gonna lose and he'll tell you that. And he believes it. And that's part of what makes him so special that the fact he can jump on the gym but. Keating knows that his will is better than yours and when it's not it kills them.

Yeah everything is is funny he was talent around dale I don't know if you saw the speech or not yet it is talking about he's still talking about the high school coach Cottam. He's still talking about Brian -- you know Byron Russell and in. -- taught in 1998 I mean these things he still thinks he can play.

It is funny I don't want again and I saw it firsthand but I I told you Michael but the tennis that we want what kind of -- it was kind of pop off and I had grown up work -- So -- it'll what purposes he's not a that he thinks views and I am I bought Gamal. And -- He broke brackets I mean he was decided to tell him we couldn't believe that he could lose and -- portal makes him so good -- And ten minutes -- okay. Every time -- Michael went untold stories about playing a pickup game work when we lost to keep the ball to one don't -- it took the last shot it was curse of count because. Italy because I don't -- last. -- mentioned points and on PB but that's that's tough. -- pretty name like Italy wondering my neck and I helped him lose a game they needed appreciate that.

Pickup basketball -- parts of the -- But before we let it go and you had to have some lineup changes last night with both. I'm Kevin Youkilis and Victor Martinez and available -- tonight.

You know we got a -- to you just not ready to get back in their victor is not going to be back in -- going right. Because of well lefty. What caught the first -- out of new order well all third Pak tension. And -- if we can't. -- pesky with the got a month ago -- Saunders and who knows what he's -- and in. It'll please give -- our ballpark a little bit better because Bill Walsh a little bit closer but he's pretty good pitcher.

Always appreciate time we'll talk to next week. I seriously -- Terry Francona brought -- by Rockies ace hardware stores the sweet spot for all your home -- lawn care projects. Rockies your project simplified by a -- insurance it's not just tiger covered Michael it's how you're treated. And by Bigelow tea Terry Francona screen -- of choice for being selected. For today's Mohegan -- lunch with Tito Yale Cohen has won an overnight stay at Mohegan Sun. And is now one of 26 people enter to win the end of season grand prize -- at Fenway with Terry and the dale and Holley show how great is that there. Yale -- like that's a great visit the dale and -- page on WEEI dot com to submit your question for Terry lunch with Tito to buy Mohegan Sun. World that play.