Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

Welcome back to Fenway Park Sports Radio WEEI. This is. This is actually a rescue mission to be honest with you this is an opportunity for so when do to save us. That's a volume right there because quite honestly I don't know that I could. Possibly have gone another hour of whether or not he should go on forum that typical. But but Terry would you go on foreign imports to we'll get it out of the way Iran off the bat an eclectic night about. I -- that we need to go there without the net debt at this in the offseason.

It's good to see you guys. You're going to be you know what is nice to be an arms like so. Well South America exactly. Not not to not to my left but to my right of -- company to handle -- and ever those bells and -- that -- is right that's.

Well we've got folks all lined up their their anxious to talk to you we've got folks who have texted questions to us. I you can text at 85850. If you got a text question we've got a mall lined up here that we can ask we got folks lined up from from rocks parade a Los Angeles ready to talk -- way.

All livable it's unbelievable to me before we get to those calls and just. Check and see what you've been up to in the offseason what have you been doing lately since let's face it Brad Mills.

latitude to -- what what a government building deserted me. And we've been -- we did some interviews we did some good interviews last week. When I get W characters today the -- of -- little bit and kind of go over some of the things we talked about last week's it would obviously need to. Get our staff in order. That'll that'll take care of itself probably fairly soon. Then we have you know the freeagent process which is obviously important and you know will be a long slow winding road but we got a lot to do in and and and a lot of time to do it. We actually believe it or not one of the first first text question says eight Tito with Brad Mills now gone to you know who's the new bench -- going to be. We we interviewed last week and -- think it's any big secret Ron Johnson or -- manager who was very deserving in the interview. And Tom -- Who has been according -- outfield and base running and -- minor leagues and was very very impressive not very experienced but very impressive. Gary. -- we have to Marleau with a bogey how we move guys around overtures trying to have the best staff we can't and one decision may affect the next.

It does it give a guy an advantage. Like like Johnson amassing the job -- but does -- give him an advantage that he knows. The organization he knows how you guys think and you know some of the players.

Yeah I I I do think and he actually mentioned in his interview that he's had out of the forty guys on our forty man roster he's had I think 22 of them. The last couple years which is assure itself full I think what's helpful is we really want to hire from within think you know I've been here long enough now. We need to promote from within when we can't there's a lot of good candidates outside your organization. They're names came up I think it's important note to promote from within and so we're certainly gonna try and do that.

Let's dive into the phone calls Jack is out Los Angeles Jack you're up first with Red Sox manager Terry Francona.

Hey thanks so -- like well. First -- I gotta do duplicate or evidence step there is in the best graduate at the house thanks so much thank you lose the call. I want to ask you every you know what Nicole loved voting come out -- with a couple people that are either Obey it or some guys on the -- at a at a stretch. This year public captives fist -- Derek Jeter -- over -- open standards. How would spot goes into. That'll work because we opened managers and coaches vote for not that it Jeter had a bad -- complex -- the best -- the position. --

I I think that's actually a pretty good point you make. I know I I'm I'm probably. Of the mindset to Jeter. Had a very good you're defensively I really do think he did. Elvis Andrus had a spectacular year.

Is there are certain that a great -- like it but I think in our back the book digital artwork of the likely opt in the I don't think anybody would say it was the best that the truck stop I didn't well.

Well on earlier -- asking me and and your answer insults on a regular hard that the I -- it. Like it again. I think we we tried as a staff -- to give it some time. Because like I think you're alluding to we didn't -- just have the ballot -- up and write in names because there has been some. Things happen from time to time over the years not one your Raphael Palmeiro got the gold glove and I think he played first -- twenty games that's not good. I think the thing you have to remember is. Sometimes see guys on sports and makes spectacular place that doesn't necessarily mean there are gold glove candidate. You know the other thing I think you alluded to I think you're right is reputation comes in the plight I think sometimes in this league. Staffs coaches managers are a little bit. Wary of voting -- guy Ian in their first or second -- they kind of wanna make emergency over time it's almost like -- Arctic. We added a text question saying what do you think about Jason Varitek and as he winds down his playing career do you see him being a coach at some point. Who I don't think yet -- I wouldn't approached him with that I don't think you would like that one. I saw tech the other day and I think he's in a good place I think I think he's going to be -- do good job he. He again I've said this a lot of times the presidency on his Jersey for a reason. -- gonna catch the majority of the games how much we don't know. I think -- can be an unbelievable back up catcher in -- because his body. Can't handle -- in under forty games anymore that doesn't mean if you run him out there. Rules less than that. He can't especially from the right side you know again. By the time July rolled around sure he had thirteen fourteen home runs. You're not gonna find backup catchers -- have that ability his game calling experience you know he he kind of gets run into the ground physically. And again he's caught a lot of games so that's my responsibility to but I think in the situation we have hopefully upcoming he can really -- what.

What do you think of the transition of of Varitek having the C on his Jersey as a starter and then having that -- it on his Jersey as a backup does that does that change anything in the clubhouse.

Michael I don't think so and I think a lot net because of Jason if he didn't accepted that it could have been problem. I don't see that happening this again some other day was -- fired up as I've seen him. He you know last year you went through that's tough tough thing to to not play. I don't care who you are what you're good enough for not to have somebody come and tell you that somebody's taking your playing time is hard to partake. I never saw Jason put himself ahead of the team I didn't expect him to walk in the clubhouse. And lead the cheers for not playing at the same time he never let that get in the way of his caring for team or his trying to help victor. So again that's part of the reason he has the -- on his chest and he's lived up that I know he will continue to.

We've got probably a dozen of these text messages here in front of me all asking basically the same questions all paraphrase it. The seed Jason Bay resigning here and what are you gonna -- he doesn't ice.

I I know I'm not the minority when I -- I hope so. I don't wanna make -- job harder and India's I don't if I'm out their politicking for a guy. You know that doesn't help Theo do his job there's again as like kind of said the beginning. You have to be patient. As fans as the manager you want things to happen now we want to help our team in place now it's not gonna happen -- things take time he has earned the right to be a free agent. And this is his first time and he wants to see it through. You know we're going to be a major player we always are. If -- I hope we get is done yeah I betcha I -- Jason Bay hopes it gets done but he's gonna have other options do.

I know your different sport then football different sports and basketball but one thing that jumps out -- jumps out at me when the Celtics. One Rashid Wallace owner went out. Doc went out the players went out. Don't really hear that much in baseball but if if you wanted to if you want a free agent -- excited about him. Are you open to going out on a recruiting trip and and does the -- and and there's John Henry asked you to do things affect what.

Actually done some of those things in the past just a little bit more under the radar. You know John Farrell some guys were -- smoltz and he knows during the Teixeira thing we've we've done a lot more that probably than people realize we just don't -- it publicized. Jason is -- your next on Sports Radio with Terry Francona.

Hi Terry -- operate today thank you. Well I'm 37 an -- hands down you are my favorite man at a Red Sox have ever had I think it almost legitimate -- ever seen walk out of that dugout. You know people talk about all the -- stuff and hello Leo -- clutch guys guys like -- with a post season record we get 22 and nine post season record. With two World Series titles. They're ranked among the highest in Major League Baseball history of got a warning. Appearances and in the post season game I think that's these volume to vote I -- Gardner is nordic guy I would want leading my team.

Well you're my favorite caller shall thank you. Gregory gets. I think.

That they have like well you get there in and I think com where a lot of the other bands. Well -- called a bottle. The that you never see it this way one way or the other use spam fighter guys. For good or bad I mean remember the Pedroia situation where you kind of question about stick with this guy. And moguls like that and I think you've got the right kind of mentality you know embarked in and I just wonder. We've got here you worry com. A Philadelphia -- And you need kind of like the -- and and I just wondered out the six years if you still more on the air and if you feel like KM an American League guys now. What do you still feel like you know National League -- the American League this billboard a lot of a the American -- the but that'll -- want to -- you kind of feel at -- yet in this in this environment at Boston.

Well I mean I make my home here now and I feel at home -- that that means stop trying to earn your stripes. You know as a manager player coach and he's not doing night here in trouble. But as far as be loyal to the players. I just think there's times where if I'm not loyal to the organization. I'm making a big mistake sometimes you gotta find out the answer sometimes he answers no but if you don't find the answer route. Again I'm not doing my job we'd -- stay with players planning in the past. And they haven't done the job and we've had to move on but at least we found out that's important. With -- that's a great example organization can tell me this kid can play I I hadn't seen it. But we were nation we got rewarded for that but sometimes -- part of our job.

We're taking text questions for Terry at 850850. Knowing you can't comment specifically about about a player under contract to another team all paraphrase this question. Is adding eight starting pitcher to your rotation more valuable than signing a big bat for the middle of the lineup for this Red Sox team.

Every time field talks to me. Is how we say get a pitcher it I know we need to score runs. When you don't pitch you certainly make life a lot did more difficult for the whole team. When you have a well pitched game. You know and even when you don't get -- if you -- on the seventh eighth inning got a chance. When you don't pitch game looks sloppy lot of balls in the gap be of more cutoffs and relays are more errors. There's more place to be made when you have solid pitching and and sometimes pass solid in the spectacular. That's when your team really has a chance not only the regular season but it carries over and the policies.

I ask you about a guy who was not under contract as a free agent and there were stories that the Red Sox are very interest -- met -- with his agent John Lackey. What do you what do you think of Hammond and how would he fit onto your team.

Global I don't know from a wanted to say that -- the freeagent I don't know we cannot animals that exclusive period has started already gone it is it's -- two weeks after the World Series a junior or -- shouldn't constantly what is. What today's -- it. If you don't leave their donors and today you don't even know -- they -- their World Series didn't go -- artists -- game sort of project what. John -- won. Every year there's a couple guys that seem like they can sway. Use the fortunes of the organization I think he's that type of pitcher now to get that type -- you're gonna aptly point commitment. That's something that makes organizational little bit uneasy. It doesn't mean it guy can't committed and help you win but if there's an injury along the way. Back -- put such organization back quite a bit so there's a lot to think about. Besides just the year 2010. Which are possibly talking about 2015. At -- years.

And you see him I mean I know we we are we all watch. A 162 Red Sox games. It game after game night after night. And a lot of people don't see him on the west coast you consider him an --

Yeah probably -- probably do. He's you know he's missed a little bit of time. But when he's out there I think their team feels like they're gonna win you know he can match up against Beckett Lester. He go head to head with the better guys leg and and hold his own would say so. Harris -- and rock Spurrier next on Sports Radio with Terry Francona.

Up that you dugout -- third give us the opportunity speak with you appreciate it. -- My question is the L odds are -- say. Or it off it and noble work Omar wail look I think this. We never really hear anything from -- followed the belt as a manager is there any stake in the offseason that can work on. You watched video -- like that -- biblical what they did it to work on and off these. --

Well that's actually kind of an interesting question what what I do when the season is over. Is actually additional every morning and go to the pool because might not blessed with a body like these guys sitting next to me so. Then regular or pretty ideal worn out so like I swim extensively. And and the biggest reason is awash opened spring training at flight level but again after the attack because by the time the season's all world war now. The other thing I'd do is is take stock of not only myself but the entire organization the coaching staff. Try this figure out where we need to make changes in a look at spring training drill three on the bunt defense is we run the first and third defense is we want. You know trying to try to get better every year and some of that. Is according to our personnel. But we do those things and I I I -- a couple of hours every day and mr. on the computer and look at bunt plays and just try to tweak things and see where we can do a better. You don't and needle in of people offensively -- defensively all and -- equity.

Did you ever did you have a a mentor for that like a guy that -- you took drills from a guy whose philosophy. You you believe and in terms of on defense than those things.

You know Michael -- had the fortune for playing for lot of guys because those journeyman which means what that good. But I kind of feel like I feel. I mean you know Buddy -- certainly shape the way I feel about the game because -- around so much not only as a player but as a minor league manager -- the third base coach. But I kind of feel how I feel about the game and I tried it and do what's best for our team and it changes sometimes from year to year. When we had pokey Reese is our shortstop our first year we -- a lot of things to get him involved in the game defensively because that with his strength. We -- NAFTA and it'll runs. Well we tried to play organized strikes and that's what we continue to do you know when Ellsbury here we run. When Ortiz is here we hope for homers you know we just try to put our guys a position where they can shoulder strings and employs.

You brought up pokey and a whole bunch of these text questions are asking me basically the same thing. Would you like to have Alex Gonzales back as your shortstop.

You know what guns he did. At a time of the year where we had a lot of moving parts at shortstop he came in was really a stabilizing force when the ball is hit Europe and nobody more than myself and I appreciated a lot it was it was nice -- as we have some moving parts over there. Going forward to have him back. I guess from a front offices side if they can get him at the right price -- we would we would enjoy that I think the thing to remember with -- He is what he did the last six weeks of season was really helpful. When you look at that 310 on base percentage you know for a full year. If that's what you're gonna go with you've got to recoup that somewhere else so it's just you know something.

It seems that W yeah this WEEI Sports Radio. Red Sox manager Terry Francona is with us where in the -- press box in fact I'm sitting in Dave O'Brien seat he sit and -- You've got your own -- area there you're all I heard so much longer are we are we're well nearly all. We're taking your phone calls it and we tried something new here today if you wanna text the question. You can text it to 85850. And we got a whole bunch of them in your back more than we can we can handle the reports out of work a second.

I'm glad I'm not paying for these text -- get if you had -- if you had a text program with whoever you're with and I'm with AT&T. And they charge you. For any effort any number of text over 100 would be in trouble today here's -- struggle.

Here's one of our text questions Terry the Red Sox play well at home not so while on the road Heidi get them to play better on the road. What that seems to be the 64 million dollar question I mean I think the obvious things are we we're very comfortable home in we have great fans we. We have guys that. You know guys like Mike people that know they can hit that wall. David Ortiz knows he can reach out at the wall we go on the road and respect it's not just on the road but especially against the better pitching in league. We have not done all that we got and we got -- and I from the playoffs same thing happened the first two road games we did nothing. It's it's not a lack of trying on -- polar I don't feel like you when he got team meetings we just get into the bigger ballparks. And we don't scores much and some of our guys don't read defenses as much as they do at home. It's it's been a problem -- but last three years of the good the flip side that is we've played so while home that is outweighed how we went on the road.

Tito text question here what type of adjustments does Big Papi have to make. To be of more productive and reliable player 2000.

What Davis gone through is one a lot of guys go through. He's getting older he's a big guy and he's been injured. And when that happens. Your work ethic has to increase her work load has to increase over the off season. Or time starts catching up with the old that's escalated as it's not fair. But in Blake and I've had this conversation every year since I've been here if you wanna keep -- you've got to work harder. Because you're getting older and -- the latest especially with the big body guys that have been injured. They -- have to get after two David's credit he's been in the ballpark every day since the season but already looks terrific. And he's gonna half to. Because yen you know he's he's got big shoes to carry and and if he can't. If you have a DEA east it's not lack in the ball to the ballpark. It it kind of puts -- a tough spot. But we're so used to David -- those 4045 of the home runs in -- we got used to that if feet if these hidden eighteen it makes us different things.

I don't know if you had an opportunity to hear. You know -- you know your Tito. Leo well done video on this station. About a month ago he was on with the the morning guys are going back and forth about statistics and RBIs. And the importance of our via. Yeah. So so anyway but there's there was a debate that -- back and forth with him and he was saying their other measurements. To really figure out how impact -- guy can be. And to -- like I love all the new stats and I love all the ways to it to measure baseball player but still think. If a guy has a 115. RBIs 125 RBIs this I think that is in the an important -- you do --

RBI while I understand your point I think there are some things that can be skewed I mean I grew -- in an era where if you hit 300 you -- a good player. What you know what that's not the tell -- and I was probably the perfect example I could hit 300 I never helped our team win. I get all singles I never walked -- wasn't fast enough scoring runs. So it was kind of cosmetic. You know getting some base is a very important -- you know it doesn't mean we have nine guys were so they're trying to walk. But it means that if they're seeing pitches. And they're working counts. They're gonna become more dangerous hitters if the rom based the only we we talk often keep aligned movement. You know you have to have a good enough team to do that. You know you have 45 guys that are really good about taking walks in and you know 45 guys they can't hit that's not gonna work. But if you have a balanced team which we try to do and you have that approach it's gonna work.

And what you what you say having I think -- and a and a good position to talk about this because your guy who played the game. But you're not one of those guys who play the game and who dismisses all types of statistical analysis. You give you what I need you to be that you need to be the arbitrator need to be the guy who brings both camps together because you're one of the few people ought to -- to. Who sees the value of both side.

I think there is both sides I think you have to kind of web those and come up with. The best way of putting a team together I don't think you can do. Just one of the other my I think you can make mistakes I think sometimes the game can deceive you when you just look at things with your eyes. That's why we look at statistics all the time at the same time there are people playing this game he tried to forget that so you try to take both. And make good decisions.

in Connecticut you're next on Sports Radio with Terry Francona.

I do believe direct sides have enough resources. In play is to get both of big bad. End up picture in the fray already you know of that and also how Long Will -- mean weight that the Jason day if we if we really need it wants so badly. Will be it will await stated generate fifty. At the expense of bomb making you -- the potential reagents. Well we need the balance that the reality between have a big reagents and have been a big trade up -- up we get all say it in trade.

I don't think you're gonna see Jason -- out there on January 15 I got a feeling that. That that won't happen not something that deal has to balance is it's you know you play poker a little bit that's us. Fortunately he's a good poker player I guarantee that he -- guys don't have just planning your plan -- but they got all the way down to. Probably the middle the alphabet. But and one of one move affects the other that's just the way he has. Do I think we have enough to to make trades yeah do we want to I don't know. You know when you're talking about getting. -- acquiring big name good players you're gonna have to give up. Big name young good players and in today's game not a lot of teams wanna do that that's a tough balance. When you can get productive players -- art making a lot of money yet they're really really valuable.

We have by and text -- who says he's your friend from from your days back in Venezuelan the last. It beloved ball Bob all of Bob anyway he says Terry in light of the controversies with the umpires this fall. Are you in favor of expanding its been replay we got a bunch of text that say that sort of thing.

Yeah you know I I kind of always felt like in less you have the answer you're probably need to keep your complaints to a minimum. And I know the one I've come up with has fallen on deaf fears I'm a big proponent of having a fifth umpire. And putting him in the Booth here sitting right here or -- your it would give the empires built in day off. It would be an amazing teaching tool they would have the video. Right in front of them they would have access to replays that we have access to in the clubhouse. They would see the strike zone as you're seeing it as I'm seeing it. If they -- incorporates -- replay into that with the technology they have they probably could I don't know that I wanna take it completely -- the umpires hands either. You know their fight right now to keep the game flowing is the is I think there are ways to do it but I think the fifth umpire and -- boost. To me makes a lot of sense because it helps teach. Some of the gives younger umpires a chance to be in the league and to see what we're seeing I think that's the biggest problem is they don't see you'll we EC. -- in Greenfield you're next on Sports Radio with Terry Francona.

Eight -- gone on to our. And it's not ever not just process the chance to I mean -- the -- game and the band you can have been nicer guy. I appreciate the Latin media. We learn a second -- I hope that which ones. -- let let let they have that I'm not terrible smoke up -- a -- but I am here but they're mattered. Pretty much any of the any -- and but I'm kind of despite and the media where they've got to portraits your other players and I don't wanna know it's a well on act.

Why don't know quite what that means. Yeah that's I've been asked that question before and I guess my only answer is -- going on answered. Is what what I wanna do is care about the players more than they've ever been cared about and the same time ask more of them on the field and they've ever ask. If that's a player's manager of the not what I am. I don't know again I can't wake up and run to see on being perceived by the media just doesn't help me do my job sold. I don't do that.

One other one of the techsters. Sends an interesting question. How many times -- do you think your decisions are directly responsible for a win or a loss.

If I don't know I don't wanna sit here and minimize my job that doesn't do very well when I come offered negotiations and packet. You know what I don't know it seems like when we lose. It comes up a little bit more often. We make a lot of decisions probably that people don't even realize things that are important -- slide stepping and where we defend runners and things like that that probably go unnoticed. You know nothing but natural ones that you make pitching changes and they don't work. That's understandable. We try to be organized we try to put our players in the best position and and we try to stay out way.

PTI Sports Radio now.

Back here on Sports Radio dale and -- live at Fenway Park where we're actually trying something a little different today. We're taking phone calls for Terry Francona our normal talk lines but we're giving you the opportunity to. To text questions if you'd like to 85850. So far 894. Of hooked on that the last half hour -- a good -- actually your relationship with Pedroia is often talked about how difficult is it. To balanced relationships. With the business side of the game.

That's actually good question. And I give me an example. We have to released George the terrorists today. We announced yet they do laughable they have been doing that Georgia's wanna might well I love George. He never played. That doesn't mean he's not a terrific kid I enjoy the -- we had released him so I guess the point is is it never gets in the way -- what we're -- on the field. By the same time I do wanna enjoy these players and it makes the bad news a little bit harder but doesn't change. The message is just. I don't wanna go through this. And and and not get close to some these guys can't help but how do you not like Pedroia it's impossible is on our team we're lucky to have -- I don't wanna walk around pretend like I don't care reform because I do same thing that Lester Beckett when you get around these guys for law. You can't help but start getting close to home but again it doesn't change the message we've given a lot of guys difficult messages. It's not fun but we duel with things right.

A couple questions keep popping up I'm gonna ask them both say they popped up probably no exaggeration -- a hundred times here and text. A lot of people wanna know how you're doing physically and a lot of people wanna know how long do you see yourself managing.

Physically this is probably the best I've done after year and summit like -- prematurely which was bad but I'm actually doing pretty well. As far as dual wanted. I don't know. It takes a lot out of me. I don't think I think it's not just managing managing here is although I love it -- kind of addicted to it it's difficult. I can't see myself doing this for thirty years. Saying that I haven't lost my excitement warm in almighty. Wanting to do it when there comes a day when I'm not when I don't have that regardless all my contracts as I won't -- in Arizona your next on Sports Radio with Terry Francona.

Eight do it too good. And this fellow -- wildcats -- it appeared -- go up or begin to want to receive that. You know whip -- react in this -- and they sort I know we're troubles. Panic and he'll do about it that -- Like what was shortstop position. They know. We get that at Larry you know instruct the last two seasons with some injuries and where -- see him go forward.

That's an interest in the big rats and it is in -- uninteresting question I just spoke to -- up in Canada -- his girlfriend lives up there and working in Toronto actually spend some time up there. He's doing some therapy on that wrist the wrist is troublesome a -- had a surgery. We love him as a player we've we would love to build -- plug humid shortstop every day you know is a switch -- He can probably get a ton of doubles and occasional home run expert reliable. Build the one thing that -- reliable itself so it puts us in a little bit of a tricky spot. Pretty it's quite honestly it's difficult we don't know quite what to do we can't. What all of in all of the shortstop position in his hands because we don't all result in up to do it but it feels healthy enough he's good enough to do -- so were -- predicament.

on the cell phone your next on Sports Radio Terry Francona. Hello Peter. We don't wait here builds on the cell billion next on Sports Radio Terry Francona.

A area affecting our caller are you talked about the value placed -- OP eight you and your base but wondering is it -- or Brittany you develop a patient approach -- level. -- and -- it develop it in a fire at the speculate level that are and that. That these guys are all the -- aptly. And respectively real quick two part question. How do you see somebody you you talk about that the -- not -- it's not based so where Al pitchers. You take a guy like Johnny Damon or spell out that -- that bet you know it maybe doesn't walk much in -- like step but he. These where at the -- added he.

Not forgotten number one. -- I don't think you can do it -- like level or if you do it's few and far between. That's why are we try to spend so much time. In Clark development talking about them because when they get to the big leagues the game is going a lot faster interface and better competition better pitching. And if you expect guys all of sudden start swung at strikes I think your kid yourself so we spent a lot of time on that in the in the minor leagues and guys don't move up. As much if they can't swing at strikes. Johnny Damon is a great example he walked. But and sometimes it was by design sometimes Johnny -- twelve pitches on a Malta was by design he was follow up balls all little ballpark but. It was a it was a town he has any good it was good for -- to put him in leadoff spot. And he helped wear down pitchers I think if you get into the team's bullpen before they want you to. You're gonna have success.

Jerry's -- next on Sports Radio Terry Francona is still -- there are good things very question you. With Arnold recently -- wired in coach. Note that the Mark -- up again but -- if you. One that you look at it the ball player and you'd think our -- all.

You know ha -- I'm just here to talk about the future not the past. A to be honest with view. It's it's a subject that is really. Difficult to talk about because. In our game. If I think your your kid yourself if you don't think people are guilty. But you're also. Having people be guilty. That haven't been proven guilty so it in my job or I stand I'm better off not saying something it just again it's it's. It's not fair it's it's unfair to some people. On the good side it's also probably unfair on the other side. Our game is what's been guilty and we've taken steps to fix it we were just a little bit -- and -- map and so were all in the price war. How much of a negative effect did the story surrounding David Ortiz hurt your team. Well it did it doesn't help -- I think if you let it hurts it's it's our fault shame on us we have a responsibility to. Play the game regardless of what's going on. We that we just haven't time we're being we were playing very good that didn't have dating to do with losing I don't think it was opened David hit. Think he was worn out from all that. But I think when those things get in the way I think it's excuse.

Richard is incestuous you're next on Sports Radio Terry Francona. Yes I. Haven't yet. Editor. That's -- Ellsbury. Cute is this. Area today. -- it figure all right.

is already stolen about seventy basis which is no one of the best in the leg. I think with health. That will probably get a little bit better just because if he maintains his -- he certainly don't learn a little bit better. I think is hitting his offense I think he's gonna grow into some power will were a little bit wary of is trying to get him to pull the ball in the air that you run the problems that way. Think good young players that play every day. Get stronger and get better just by experience he's gonna hit some balls on the ballpark. What the most important thing IC would Jake is his ability to get on base if he's on base because of his legs because of our offense he's gonna score runs. When he score runs we win games.

No property here recently had an article on Sports Illustrated by the Yankees how. They are an older team and how that older teams they would win the World Series surprised they were able to be so productive at that age you mean you know. Mariano Rivera -- just turned forty gonna turn forty this month. For example you.

What he's -- he's a freak of nature he's got that pitch that cutter that he's in attacks lefties hit it four varieties. He's been -- for a long time. They have you know again it's it's probably not real popular -- talk about how with the Yankees are. They had a phenomenal team they had ways to Beecham and we're good example we we caught -- early before they were rated golf.

Gonna ask you about that because did you think they changed at all during season that when you when you won those first eight games. Do you think that was the same team --

I know you all know they weren't playing tremendously well when we caught -- they were hovered around 500 and we played some good baseball we have had you know great comeback against -- I don't know which recently at the home run social things fell our way. Then they got roll -- and to -- things you know they got Alex back in the lineup. I don't know which coincidence or not but when he came back to share goes crazy so now -- got three and four hitter performed five -- are there going off. Their base running was really really good that he believes he'll lot of bases and their bullpen came together -- won best -- peninsula that's why. They won so many games late they bring in the bullpen they wouldn't give up runs and without line -- they get and other people bullpen and it went. She's good W -- EI exports really.

Back here at Fenway Park we've got a few minutes left with a manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona. This guy asked a question on the text that I -- interest -- about your mentioning Ellsbury before. How do the defensive metrics the defensive statistics. Say that Jacoby Ellsbury is a bad outfielder when my -- tell me he's not.

What at first thought didn't say he's a bad outfielder is it said he didn't measure up to league average as a center fielder which I think it's it's that's two different things. Pretty much every team. Has their best defensive half over in center field. If you as you go through the American League and you look at the center fielders. Note to be an average center fielder defensively. You gotta be pretty damn good there's a lot like I was well I I actually think he has -- the defensive. Equation is the hardest in my opinion to evaluate. They're trying to make it better every year they keep making adjustments to it there's a lot of things that come and apply. You know you play here and you go to Texas it's like going to -- link so guys you know their. The ground they -- going to be -- there's a lot of things out there that are perfect but they're trying to find ways to measure it. I do think -- get better I think he will continue to get better as he understands the strength of the guys in the league. Positioning how important it is I do think he'll get better I think he's goes left to right. Very well I think you're still learning how to go back on ball get to the wall and still shoulder flows as much attention do you pay to. Do that to the defensive metrics and that's more of a tool for signing guys in and for the front office in all it's not something we. Look at as we going to a game because it doesn't really help us prepare for team.

Our marks on the cell phone Haymarket next -- on Sports Radio with Terry Francona.

Photo and they are very had been. -- at all and I honestly believe you are the best manager in my lifetime anyway so all Nigeria if -- you printed it. Thank you my question is Iran. -- so good collection and and strategy. And I want to allow you hear you know. Big baby -- media driven and not -- Because like Beckett in his rookie year and what is church or bought from -- struggle a bit of Daisuke when he struggle that. That the first pitch selection is -- all Barack at all out of ought not and I assure you guys go into a game with a very specific strategy. Played a player are gonna -- these guys. So my question is that if it's true that these -- fallen to. Patterns of bad habits or or shake -- the -- also that there are kind of forced to just stick with the strategy that's in place. And they are able to fall back to these other.

Well that's not answerable in thirty seconds to actually good question you know you gotta remember their human. When you're out there on the mound and there's a very fine line sometimes between success and failure mean you're talking about sometimes a ball it. Beckett throws -- 94 mile or fastball than umpire uses an inch off the plate. That on other nights you know he gets it for call if if he gets it for call strike one now loosens up will be those breaking ball for strike was called ball. I mean when things aren't working and we don't force guys to do it if he goes out and does not break a ball frost to continually tell him to throw it. Probably isn't gonna help him win that game. There's a fine line we we talked of catcher of all time about early in game staying with pitches so we don't. Turning guy into into this picture at the same time he's given up six runs he's not going to be out there for the later in the game so -- We've we've try to balance that line and and do what we think is right but. You know again it's easy to say use all 34 pitches and change speeds and locate but unless they do that they're not going to be in the game. Lot of these techsters. Have asked basically the same sort of question who's your race Lester Beckett. I think part of what makes as good as that we have to. I don't think it's important I mean I know you give the ball somebody an opening day and wants opening day comes and goes it really doesn't matter. I think we of the buildings and two guys out there. That can match up with anybody in the game and -- the reason that -- good or matters in the game -- in the -- out yesterday and actually didn't because we believe we are set up this year. We were gonna use both album twice anyway so all. It really didn't matter I think you're right if you use -- you have to make a decision one guy pitches once. The and it's a big decision a -- of the ability to -- both guys place which we were gonna do those. We've got time for one more call Terry in Boston you're next on Sports Radio the manager Terry Francona.

Michael I ordered one monster in my school. Obama Bigelow Greenpeace and I'm not true winner throughout when -- the -- coordinate.

He doesn't sound very intelligent does the and I'll go right ahead. It is little problem one. Way to. Being ordered Google debate.

You know I actually a couple years ago I don't know how long you've been on this but I had the radio. And house in the car. And I heard my voice but I did like the answer I believe it took me a while driving down below Austin. And I'm thinkin' what ended nice save that I would never observed that and it took me about a mile to -- somebody you do a good job. I don't -- that's a compliment or not what you do good job.

Oral vitamin a that they hear what lycra models. But radio -- you didn't say that in the morbidity and it's hoping that it it's just -- the bill.

Thanks Terry we appreciate the call thank -- and that actually kinda scary to hear that. We can't thank you enough for taken our and I know the fans who are responded a thousand people texted in in the hour I can't tell you how many people called him but I think it was fun for them to talk based.

All the guys I enjoyed two I you know I I know I love give these guys a hard time but. I think you know enjoy visiting with the every Wednesday.

If you're at thanks a lot and did you imagine doing this four hours a day every day and it goes fast --

You know what I I don't know I don't know when you're on the radio you're never wrong which of course not which is good. -- Spears back WEEI Sports Radio network.