Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Joining us on the AT&T hotline as the manager of the Boston Red Sox. Terry Francona brought to -- Rockies ace hardware stores the sweet spot for all your home paint and lawn care projects. Rockies your project simplified by a -- insurance it's not just tiger covered Michael zealots are you treated and by Bigelow -- Terry Francona is green -- of choice we wrap up the season with a manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona. I just thought it might be three or four weeks from now when we finally did this.

Yeah I'm used to -- this either in my office were in my out on the -- up from home like good. Or they get a better record for the.

It would you how do you. How how have you been dealing with the the loss game 3M and if you. Have you gone underground or UN a bunker are you. Sitting there smarting over things that could have been -- with --

Yeah it's hard. You know every year gets a little bit do. A cup weird we've been fortunate not to be celebrating openers but are broken. This year the hard part one -- figure come. And you know there's a lot of ways to Bennett. You know I think perspective is probably the hardest thing to achieve early on and and you know -- from fans media myself. You know one thing we talked about -- were down. To new York and downed the Cleveland was we thought we were good enough to win but if you put yourself in position where you make mistake you go home. Well what happened you know that's what happened we we've played good game good -- does it mean for the most part you know we scored off a good pitcher we had a two run lead. Going tonight we made some mistakes and when you -- off to a situation like that when you make a mistake in the global.

You know what it's like in this town the other team never plays well your team always played poorly. How much credit does the starting pitching for the Angels get for those two games in Anaheim a much blame is your offense yet.

Well we probably always. Look at ourselves or the other team that that's I think that's human nature. Lackey -- pitched great game now again we. We feel like regardless. Want to -- to -- playoff we got to find a way to score we didn't. So we don't take that responsibility. In -- I think again perspective of the biggest work is going to be very difficult for people find that Lester pitched great. I mean. You know there are some things that happen in that game and from be all will probably the biggest want Bobby Abreu. He had that -- yet a couple of bats were never went he took got. 94 mount Arafat all of two inches out of struggled. And never flinched that's pretty good -- you know we're trying to give up a run to get out of an inning. Because Torii Hunter would come up next you know on Bobby had a great at bat and -- undertook Lester deep ballot the games -- something could happen. During the game but I don't think people necessarily remember. That they can release when the game.

Yeah how much a bounce around games here because you know you know game one something stands out game three something something stands out. Back to game -- you mentioned Bobby Abreu. And I said after the game I would love to know what the approach was to him you know Jon Lester walked him three times and I have a lot of respect for Bobby Abreu -- a player. I don't think come afraid of them deal with deep in your opinion it was the pitching around Abreu or was it just. As you mentioned that tough very discriminating batting eye on number.

pitch around him now again we respect can do. I think if you go back and look at it that bad he took some pitches the most hitters don't let her pick of most triple -- He took again he got to a 32 count Lester Lester total of nine before Arafat all the little borderline strikes Bobby never -- I mean there you're -- Bob Bobby Abreu it was a block the end. When I say that I don't mean that he was you know just didn't hit after hit. He never offered a -- as orbiter to block the plate and to meet with someone to spot where rolled up there that's amazing feat.

Did you feel that that at at as the at bats the one when looking at first time through the lineup. In those first two games your team was one for 25 with two walks. Is there such a thing is being too patient or or where they just make him pitches you guys couldn't.

What what happens when you go through a lot of the first time you don't have mixed success that you don't got -- obviously they're trying to be patient because that's what we do. And what happens sometimes is now they understand that and they excuse strike one hour hit it'll all. That happens from time to time that's a tough way to game as it. That's what sometimes game's over you tip your cap to the opposing team and you thought you should have done some things better -- that's not what the game -- we. When you work ahead you're gonna probably have success. We we don't wanna be too aggressive we want to be patient. -- up happen and we were cardinal won a lot. Then we ended up expanding his own because they were good not make its experience so that the -- both ways.

You don't less -- to game three that's a game that people are still talking about a game -- drive and folks crazy. What what went into the decision to intentionally walked Torii Hunter and pitch to Vlad Guerrero.

Offer me you know -- a lot of things that happen. For me nobody'll ever built to tell me develop a wrong move. I would not -- won't go to we will build convinced they have been a whole lot Tom. Blatter hadn't done much -- that there. And of a -- we execute pitches and if you go back and look at the execute -- we did -- We've broken bat which struck about Torrey honors labeled a lot of violence. And makes me nervous. I thought the right thing to do the first mr. Vlad get wandered out over the middle and -- didn't work and it did the job. I would do that again every single time become an old threatening to.

Were you concerned at all that the that it limited Jon Papelbon -- Options here with the bases loaded.

It sure. Again -- they're like we're talking about a guy though that. Yeah covering it and that certainly is not as a factor it wasn't enough a factor from me did not want to do. If Torii Hunter perhaps make the best supported Carter and Torre does open to help them win the game. I would wonder to myself. You know again a wasn't happy look like got to hit again I would do it every single time if that same situation.

Yeah and you're not an a guy who deals in absolutes -- always do this I'll always do that. I remember remember talk to you before. About loading the bases and you and you you're you're uncomfortable with that at times because. It does limit a pitcher and one. Mistake will cost you the game but do you feel like an end in the situation you had their that is an absolute time where you'll always load the bases and that's that you.

Michael it is said that crap about what October's like against every situation is different and we had a situation down in. He's early in the season where earlier it was vital that we elected not to wasn't comfortable with his ability. At the point game where he was a thought I was putting -- and an unfair position. I thought pap we're built -- excuse pitch. Easier. To -- that I did deported under a public or under if you make a mistake. -- missed an awful lot you -- up the torch underneath mine it on the street. I just again you know. We don't have a lot of time to think about it but again are you can't convince should be. They've developed a wrong thing to do you can drive but I just -- strongly about that.

Did you feel that the running game the vaunted running game of the Angels was as big a factor as some fear.

conservatives. On I think justifiably so don't not just stealing bases but. -- going first -- third. The fact that they can run them and we had to look even look at down like -- and they're not -- Robert motion. You don't you vacate which you have to do. You know Latin people whether it's by locker. By your execution award went around second base you have to hold them or they're gonna run -- just the fact that they didn't. Deal upon a -- Doesn't mean it still doesn't play into the game.

Tito we how we all have the answers now that that we know the result Jonathan Papelbon is performance but. Was there any point in the game I mean before the blow up. -- you said yourself doesn't look like -- has it today we're gonna have to really grind this out to get a victory.

Well in this when he came in the eight yeah actually made a terrible restaurant where. And you know we get the basic right to drove the two -- the gamble we got Fiat on Ron are actually world. Because all the things we just talked about the running game -- perhaps not -- put the plate you know it takes away the ball Beckett takes away the sac bunt. -- that run for -- was huge. Am in fact you know if you replay of the inning as much. That happened. Worst you'll sit on a win if we get the last out so I mean. I thought the last probably go -- that's why are we pinch ran up over do we want to get wanted to attack on --

Knowing when you play a series against somebody I'm probably more so for you. Then for us because you're involved in mid year year you see these guys are close when you play a series usually come out of it. With more respect for a certain guys that you had before and in that guy for me. Was Erica I bar. You agree with that.

Lot of old Bobby Knight I have respect for the golden. I mean didn't we we studied them pretty pretty extensively and -- We thought we could be don't that doesn't mean we didn't respect political -- that a lot of balance. They have a lot of different ways to beat you again you gotta remember. -- in the three game series whoever does something is gonna stick out for you probably you know again that that it doesn't it'll if Eric I bar or go for ten. You might say well I don't think he's very good well you know what he has just. It's just so happens that in short series some guy again you didn't get much you can hit the ball three times the last game as hard you hit it. Old things happen sometimes over the course of a 162 games they eat about -- short series they don't always you know.

The wonder take up exit interviews for lack of a better term and without getting into specifics if you do what are the things you talk with -- each player about.

the formal summary informal so -- done before the season's over but we done in the next couple weeks we try to. Fulmer not done just exclusively by -- don't John Farrell the pitching staff. Over all the medical staff some need to be done by me on appeal from the get other we pretty much try to communicate with a --

I I read with interest the comments of of Clay Buchholz in the paper today where he said I'll never assume anything again I'll go into this off season. Working as though I have to earn a spot on this team you probably like to hear those exact words.

Yeah that's good to hear it again I don't pay much attention to the paper but I understand your point. You know he assumed a little bit a couple of years ago he was young -- I know when we were that age. You know we we made mistakes and played probably learned the hard way. But he's got to tip -- pretty special count. -- seemed to be growing up now again he's got some more to go mean you know the game got going affordable facet are very people. Forgetting that important -- Took off. And if place steps off. Or he's in the middle of no man's land were very huge base running -- now because play -- Nobody ever remembers that slowed things would happen in the game that seem to get. It'll get lost in the shuffle that are huge plays.

2008 you guys were one win from going to the World Series. And you pretty much tweak the team you know signed up Pedroia and Youkilis to some extensions and an added eventually. He had Victor Martinez in 2009. You know losing in the first round do you think that's the tweaks situation Tito do you do you expect to have primarily the same guys back.

I don't know what I do know is is we won. We won 95 games. This year and how he would want last year that maybe the same. Look I cannot. You know we executed real quick in the playoffs and that is distressing all of us if we make moves out of reaction -- that that it was -- The moves we make we -- will be made infield great of this you know to try to. May just be good not only for the short term but not for getting the long term. That's one thing that that he has his hands all building. And I probably get dispute first band to somewhere it's not easy. I mean. When you don't have the ability to step back and you re low older obviously it. -- can be challenging. And again I think he's an amazing job both at times. Cutting some time it was a pretty popular people. I don't know what I have the ability to do that he's done a great job of that bouncing. The present the future and it's going to be another count this year.

you guys always talk continually. But I almost wonder when he's getting ready to make one of those big moves and and and trade Nomar Garciaparra -- let's say for the sake of discussion. Is it almost better for you if you don't know what's -- on.

Don't know mogul bought -- that I've definitely appreciate don't know me. I think he understands that I'm on there every day in the fight don't understand what Oklahoma -- he's got the wrong guys vote knowledge -- long pocketbook you can.

You know we had a debate you know -- and I we are debating yesterday now with each other but and sometimes do that -- But with the caller was talking about Jonathan Papelbon and he was really down on them because he runs is not too much and I said that it really should make a difference about what the guy says. But let me ask you this as a manager you're dealing with grown men. So you can't control what they say is there up a point though. Where you say that is crossing the line we don't want you talking about this we don't want you saying this to the media -- does that exist.

Well pure. We -- read every so often like Culpepper and don't showed up in. You know it meets -- those bumps are united -- like this -- did this and he Gurode is gonna go you're on messed up you know we we -- without a timeout to kind of how we operate.

But doesn't effect. Do you feel like anything now Jonathan Papelbon he he likes the he he likes the attention he's got to -- personality. You think that had anything to do with his on field performance this year.

Meal. Outpost which. Long have you worked hard he's ready to pitch again yet the unfortunate evolving in this town he without their Vienna -- We didn't -- very well. Up might stay with him for a law that that -- that enough you know again of that -- anything to do with the interview republic Comcast or whatever he's. Again he's he's -- Good hearted kid who works hard. He made some bad misses and you know I'm sure being in this town not persecutor Thursday usual reaction to that he's he's one of the best and in the business he just didn't look very good job last game.

William go to the Arizona Fall League and look at Casey Kelly here. Jose Iglesias or do you just say you know what I'll see him when they finally get to the major --

You don't want I may do that battlefield does not always had an open invitation to do that. And in the past we grilling never had the time to do it by may take try to take advantage Latin go out there in. And watch those guys and maybe even get a chance you don't go to dinner with a -- to skip the normal little bit. I think that -- a little bit of an advantage.

What you got some babies in this organization don't -- 1819.

exciting it is they're a few years away and it's a little bit different you know most of our guys are here right now they're -- there's a little bit of a gap. But there's some kids common. -- that they are exciting and potentially really you know impact players like we have here now they're just a little bit on the younger side.

You know it's so amazing that when that you think he's got a good team and in the season. Ends on a Sunday and you think you gotta be playing in the ALCS on a Friday is just it's just shocking so. You can go from hanging out with these guys all the time to have not seen them at all -- do you have -- urge to -- these guys email column and just talk.

Well actually have a few -- because. What is the way it ended the other day it was -- brought. That we had and we -- short reading but again you know -- manager has an obligation to -- the media room right now. So we know we gathered everybody up pretty quick and had a short meeting and then move on. And then. And expect guys are packed and on the side not do so there -- some guys I missed that I want to talk -- so you know. You'd stay in. Under some things don't -- help some guys. Well thank you and like that but they'll -- some. There -- some time -- guys need to be away from me understand that and then the process start over again. Of regrouping indigent. The trainers make sure. Medical people but the guy is -- their programs our guys are they know what to do well. I'll start being in touch when the time's right that they need to and I'm always big people.

How would you describe your interest in the ALCS and NLCS now.

It -- but upon spending for me this year is that. I don't think I actually don't think I can watch and this is you know just wasn't ready to be done and there's no getting around it. -- That last game was I felt like we have done in the past we have that ability. To come back and BP. We don't we have that ability -- but we got that ability come back and I felt like here we go again and it didn't happen had a -- and the gonna have to deal doubtful.

All of your coaches are -- guard Brad Mills are interviewing for the Astros managerial job. We've read about Cleveland may be being interest didn't John -- maybe him not I don't know do you expect there might be changes -- staff this offseason.

Won't go away there's going to be changes as have somebody become the manager which I guess that's a good thing I mean I'd love the staff we have I think we have about stuff baseball. Hardworking knowledgeable. Passionate. That's why you receive these guys get interviewed I wouldn't be surprised to see the ball real name creep in or somewhere to one of these things. It and I wouldn't be surprised what these guys get a job and if that happens we will have to go find a coach witches. Tougher meat but also very rewarding at the same time so it would be a nice problem to have.

There's a big -- kind of bittersweet with all of these guys but specifically. Mills the guy you've known for so long isn't college yeah remain -- viewers.

Community it was -- what about for an all world not just in baseball and we band together -- time and what he means to me. It is a lot. But I know you want to chance demands and I think he's very very deserving. And I think the situation we used to really intriguing he. He's battle apparently before -- your goal and I think we all those grownups and spent part I think that it -- enjoy interviewing bill Lee and I think Milton is gonna. Is gonna have a good interview -- that I think and Bogart could you won't do it it's it's a really kind of the unique situation.

Do general manager's call you and ask you about. Mills -- year ask you about Bogart and they call and ask you questions.

You know what they're but there's a -- protocol her appeal to people -- but again I've known him for a long time. In a party not to -- I don't feel notebook -- will be good. I -- the guys you know. You know. If you did -- you talk a -- on the -- in Cleveland well well well known that for a long time that's there's not a role that. It's it's. You know we're not breaking the rules are just trying to find out who's capable -- and are being.

All we know things ended a little sooner than expected probably sooner than all of us expected. -- overall very successful season for the Red Sox that Justin and quite the way it should -- but more than anything else Michael Knight wanna personally thank you for. Joining us every week we love talkin' baseball with the every week we have a blast doing it and as always I think our listeners are the winners in this thought that this whole thing and we appreciate it.

Okay guys I actually enjoyed two I appreciate what you just said and longest Felder doesn't want Erin baker played would go on vacation I'm okay.

I think I can pretty much guarantee that's not gonna happen I won't. I don't know if it did help. Guide our bags that is Red Sox manager Terry Francona. Brought to you by Rockies ace hardware stores the sweet spot for all your home -- lawn care projects Rockies your project simplified Miami insurance. It's not just tiger covered Michael dale. -- How you're treated and by Bigelow -- Terry Francona is green -- of choice Tito mentioned about Aussie guys that launch we've been all season long playing. Our lunch with Tito program every week we selected a question that one of our listeners submitted. Sponsored by Mohegan Sun and and each week. Each of those questioners names were put into a pot. This morning we picked one out of the pot and we came up with a name at random so thanks to everyone who participated in the lunch with Tito promotion this season. We picked our winner this morning and I'm gonna screw up the pronunciation and I apologize -- in the drummer drummer from. Hamas shag non CH eight GNL when it might be she and you don't I don't know. Tom -- not -- Providence, Rhode Island. We'll get to eat lunch with Terry Francona and the entire dale and Holley show at Fenway Park in the upcoming weeks. After we picked Tom's name out we went back and looked at his question and interestingly enough. He was the guy who -- Tito. In the aftermath of the Tedy Bruschi retirement the question about Bruschi and and Tito -- went on for quite awhile about how much he thought about Bruschi and and they've got kind of a connection going back to colleges and all that stuff but a Tom was the guy who asked the Bruschi question. Tom congratulations.