Bill Lee, Former Red Sox Pitcher

Night show the entire night tonight. And -- it to another cool thing. We've Danish yeah thank you so who are obvious like. Mikey show. -- the opening tonight show. And -- after the -- look cool of the show it will host and good luck when my studies doctor it will.

Well it's planning to -- on the WEEI Sports Radio. We're back here on this five hour a super extravaganza planet Mikey addition hero the All-Star break version reduce every single year real big wonderful five hour show we celebrate nothing in particular and everything in general. Dead and this week of course there's been some big news items and if kind of affected Red Sox fans across this great nation of ours. Obviously we have been the All-Star game last night. Big Papi wins a home run derby contest SO was again you religious story is the passing of the who's the boss George Steinbrenner and who better to talk about that. About a guy who's had certainly. His share of incidents -- in and around this seven -- New York Yankees -- which -- always remember Padilla Steinbrenner era probably best for. The space and Billy joins us live from crash -- hey bill I I you don't. Or just right it is a beautiful ever get Joe Hagerty here in the studio and we have tried John.

Big thunder heads -- are they of their rising up and -- I don't look like George Steinbrenner. Poetic looking down on you. Yeah I'd still like and the Mayo they interviewed -- yesterday at the golf course and they surprise -- on the ninth hole it was -- these golf tournament and Concord and make that. You have any comment on the passing of George Steinbrenner and I looked through the camera always good.

Don't -- well but nothing but truth. Well permit -- now what are you he did though I'm good I'm never raced just twice a university that magazine the Yankees put out when -- 25 anniversary the owner of the Yankees came on you had an article -- there why hate the Yankees. And they let you do that so at least he gave you a little podium for -- oh opposing viewpoint.

I don't think he knew that was in there real still you you know ordinary you know he he he tried to run at a game a long time ago after the brawl and nobody that I was a violent that the baseball over that. -- that would be. It -- night I told them you know basically to shut up.

But and now did you was this -- public feud ahead within the time.

Oh yeah yeah. You know I was Dick Stockton I guess he was avoid the -- expected 757. -- right stuff and that's when we have deployed in the stadium. I remember when their team doctor took me in his Corvette. During the game the hospital to get Actuate after -- not -- about a couple of times. He told me I'd never pitch again and I told him to shut up yeah but that's just -- I'm consistent in that respect. Yes. You know ELE. May have been. Good for the Yankee organization. But he you know he was definitely a thorn in my side.

What about a baseball what about -- believed -- long view perspective of baseball I I've been saying for the last a couple of Dave Lawson yes integrated. That he probably more than anybody except maybe Marvin Miller. I had had the most to do wins the increase -- in the salary structure in baseball when George Steinbrenner because he Marvin Miller fighting for the players' rights Curt Flood the whole thing you know you're player rep. I want you all about that in fact Marvin Miller talked about your greatly appreciate it as being a part of that whole thing but. Well the didn't have to be somebody other side of the table who was willing to pay and nor overpaid for the guys that weren't large.

You're right he was the man that overpaid. Or catfish -- and he started it many when I got Reggie Jackson. And it was his. Ability to spend more money that escalated salary. You know we have may have come up with the concept of free agency and Arthur's site the arbitrator is that agreed without. In the federal court agreed that baseball that are -- god squad was perpetual slavery. And out overturned that and that. Started about a third had the big men with big deep pockets. Like Steinbrenner and big egos than the salaries never would've agreed that --

Do you say he was he was good for the Yankees it was good for New York in somewhere in a lot of ways he was good for baseball to the fact that the Yankees were there. It set the bar for everybody else and there was and -- he and the Yankees were both good for baseball and still are.

Well I think the Yankees were there before he was there right but you're -- good and bad shape when he took them over there tomorrow. On CBS -- I know what you -- saying on an economic standpoint. But I don't care they didn't have up. Popped -- this -- go to thrown out of you know I say I would like to see them lose all the time since the end I. But remember when they lost in 2000 employees said that he was taking his team to the Philippines and people they're -- I think it was gonna rename -- the Manila folder.

I thought okay. And complain in the mall in yeah -- start naming them well you know they in the seventies though every because this is really the transitional period. Opera for this whole thing this whole free agency take. I've said he jumped right in both feet and it didn't stop I was look at last night bill at the free agency got not just leave they Catfish Hunter Reggie Jackson but from their aren't. I mean the list of of people is endless as he goes through the Dave Winfield and the Ricki Henderson's. And John -- area and -- wits and every time there was a guy available he would it was almost like you're try to keep them away from anybody else.

That's right that was his job he -- that it. He wanted to make sure that any government had any talent left he was gonna get up and keep them in New York think keep -- I mean. You know I always end spend money -- they prove that you know and that. I think the fact that his -- the National League in the All-Star game yesterday that it made everybody in the Yankee organization. Dumb.

They lost their minds for a moment they fit they lost their mind they didn't they try import these are grumbling that. We are even more is that I was there remember and 78. There was a Jamaican above the dugout and it game and we -- a man on base I think we're gonna hurt someone. And they needed a pinch runner in the Jamaican was going their mind the mind. Portend a jump brought them not let this stuff that people are gonna that -- what the -- would jump up.

And that's it now and is it that in the seventies would cause a Red Sox didn't they had to I think. Jumping into a little bit of history and -- they once George kind of led the way. The Red Sox have never not been in the same division as the Yankees they've always been a main competition for any post -- potential for Red Sox. So they kind of had to get in there they -- Bill Campbell election going in about what Mike Torres which you know in the final analysis was I think he was still working the Yankees 78. But the big Red Sox beat the best team that they had in my view 1978 team. Are the 770 NASA meeting both -- believable. You can say there -- might have been a sprinkling of some free agents there but most of those players bill came from the Red Sox organization.

Oh god. You couldn't believe the guys we have Ogilvy Cooper but because these -- guys laughed I mean yeah we had a tremendous scouting system and had a great organization. And and develop where work during the CBS series the Yankees. They didn't have anybody they can play they were downright terrible and in Steinbrenner did come in and not change that. Things that so you could say that for him and that's about it.

As SA is there anything else any other redeeming qualities or anything else nice you would say about Steinbrenner is that pretty much as far as you -- line.

That's that's -- not he's a convicted felon he was illegal campaign contributions. That's the stuff that made it you know -- in the public this is the leader he was a bully. He has premiered at -- the way hired and fired Billy Martin and he created him. I think you look on his way to load out alcoholism anyway but you know I think he accentuated that end. Caused his early demise is. You know there's nothing good I can say about it. And that if your fans -- the idea of the YouTube. Out of Manchester -- Middleton golf tournament yesterday as. That was as good as -- but then when I heard he was dead I went out and she sank 730 quarter. I was like not like even -- no authority at that particular. We will want to -- went that and -- Internet team so the best offer was made him -- fifteen and yet.

Well you know Goldstein bears passing the music clip now there's different from -- well yeah I remembered -- long time I used to have nightmares of him. I was hallucinating one time and I thought he came in in my hotel room window and I realize they didn't have any windows that.

it so it wouldn't you said he try to drive you out of baseball this after the brawl. He he didn't like -- none of the Yankees like do you read because you beat him twelve times and only lost to them five times that's part of it but also you know you attended say what you think you and -- ought to be -- you've been -- look at a live wire. They were you were kind of the target of a lot of their memory not.

Oprah sure I mean I found out later that. They told me -- stuff that they had that that they're manager Martin edit and then -- me because I've got him fired. From the Texas Rangers during the Colbert era you know during the -- before that and he was literally fired after a confrontation in the united had Texas.

All of you -- this it does a whole different thing you tired of being.

Prior to him being the manager of the Yankees facility he did you. Oh yeah yeah headed for people -- I mean after I came back -- my shoulder surgery. We put to Mac growing up in a bag game that's comical element but what about sport in the noticed that put this -- here -- In the first -- of -- really powerful bull like god is your attitude and do you wanna cells owner or you -- and want to put them right -- and god -- garden they're just an amazing this summer -- ball back and now they let him for the morning -- So little other dagger stuff I don't know what that is.

Have you ever find out you know bill is nothing quite like other areas there that's beautiful place in Vermont have been their competitors did they -- walk around my house and British show we'd have the same process at the start up that are -- you say do this show and we did the same time you get me in trouble now. -- got a Suffolk.

Now what Obama might think they've all been reported that multitasking will cause insanity and make you dumb so. You know Dominic Dominic quit on the Internet --

Though the multitasking I have pro -- I -- not. Stewart got a but that's pretty good video it is a nice spot up -- Vermont and it's very very real remote it's away from the yeah. The beaten path goes in laws no police deny -- and I'm nervous sellers.

Or go what did India coaches the high school baseball himself so he knows you -- we waving to each other on the way yeah the -- Ruth's. Russell shock when these big game warden and I taught his kid a curve ball felt. It all it they come by my house dislike can help their -- up.

the Pentagon -- knocked up there may move up there myself. What are these guys are fast but now I played golf -- Jimmy Fund term a couple of years ago of course we got one coming up August 2 emerge we wanna remind people were auctioning off throw the -- the place of Meehan bill on the golf tournament. -- And -- head on these leather I don't know half sandal Jesus shoes as you won't even playing a golf shoes you would play with someone else clubs he won over is it was it to -- just a natural athlete.

It's a little bit of both I was still in copyright but I'll -- you felt that. When you drink tequila you have that chemistry of the body make up for me it is unbelievable. How well you can place. -- that you have a meal you're gonna pass up like eight out.

We're ready to -- but I've never taken the -- ago when you got the car driving always get the plates in the works faster right yeah that was that was the a good time but just could not to scare people off anybody who does win this auctioning gets to play golf we will see. That it doesn't really matter. What you've adjusted you'll still play well and they don't have to necessarily go shot for shot of tequila with believe.

No they -- you lose a battle around you you can't compete like that without pay yesterday. It was unbelievable. The putt I've made diet I surprised even myself -- I was -- collapsed now like Helen Wright a man I was watching everybody yeah it would boil down to me and like eight seven putts over thirty feet in a way. It was like. I you know if I could really settled have a quick drink getting get my life in order. Flat out place --

His degree from the queen has not she'd be king that's exactly right I realize and know. I tell like the way -- you know this old man two thirds innings on any given Sunday I can go I'm -- I can throw darts at a Jamaican bar when Kate red stripe but it's stuff like that good stuff I would love -- read the good stuff the stuff that really matters like.

Oh yeah and I know.

I look back of my Life Partners -- the little stories and then yet than that. They say users think you would it change. And there's not much like gonna change that I had to be the way am.

Well anyway I think we all -- like it better this way especially -- for those of us and hate the Yankees as much as you do and you know they in the Yankee Red Sox reverend nevermind the brawl -- was one they came to a head at that point time and erect your 1976. Season but it did not do anything but enhanced or the hatred between the two -- they know it.

I got to live I got to live with the Eagles in Malibu. He was born. I look back at stake here is the a year that that was the warn people on all of -- that kinda like I got the ticket you're welcome party. You know and I thank I have to thank medals -- that I never would have they'll.

A bit of that so when you were -- that's when you -- party with the Eagles out Southern California god I didn't live hotel Gallup or if you can check out anytime you want but you can never -- nervousness -- and then of course the war -- song is part of your part of -- well how. The bad company doing and you chopping wood for your run well it is -- martyred.

The history of baseball goes in the last two years the Jews hitters that have swung. The bat that we may have won the home run hitting contest and the only one that's why in -- Kona I -- it was mr. David Ortiz.

These -- TC uses your --

He uses my bad my design. The way we tweak it to help his swing after evaluate the Rawlings to reduce these and he stomped anyway backed out. And he want and then Cabrera was using it Sam bad our wall which is. What I designed -- after a guy named Sam Coleman who was up there are a lot yet tavern so -- the -- that came out a lot yet tavern came out of the kingdom of -- very.

Series so you're your bats might be the reason spirit Ortiz is resurgence and why he's where he's come back so struck.

Yes it is hit -- I think you -- he's karma and his karma and the fact that he knows he has to produce that -- finally gotten over the fact that -- his left hand he doesn't really have anybody a prominent batting after him and it's tough to carry it can mourn when you're injured like you are mean there's more crutches in the dugout. In the Red Sox than there are in this saint Joe's support.

Oriental bats and that's absolutely true that for now than I've ever been -- go anywhere.

Andrei -- all the -- there's over a thousand pairs of crutches thing you Montreal.

To fill out instead describe if you would just I don't wanna do we get some if you don't mind we should get some people on the far wanna ask -- couple questions from the -- point of -- are there is 617779. Jury could do got a question for a fake stuff from Billy -- really like -- Don -- hanging out the Eagles for.

All right guys yell fire when he sees me now he walked. Because he's like my friend they -- rehab it rehab as the quarter.

And I can't remember what rehab is for you sweaters because that's exactly right so we had some good times -- and try to lower.

I was we could have you lived abroad big silent dark sea level throughout the Steve McQueen now immigrant all of them far -- the problem. Right. You are -- yes I am I know -- kind of went back -- yeah. You know Chris.

I can tell you signal -- pretty you know so I was here now what that's very the high tech area that it is smooth and their garlic and prolong life. Now you had you were bridge partners with yes over the years I don't know I don't know how would you describe his -- magnetic personality.

Oh magnetic it's something that throws multiple for the opposite field oh yeah big big guy. She might go -- on a date with him and I ended up with both --

He really he doesn't millions of people into the business causing our.

Oh yeah what they out of my candidate simply wanting conversations. -- yeah I -- yeah I'd say I had more stories that. Oh my -- you know what -- We treated them how -- I ask -- Babbitt used these trends in your heart in the middle of my medical trees and the bloggers note that as a means that now part.

Half a -- she -- doubt you'll you will I was gonna mastery of some got a couple guys want talked him into this jury tech not technologically put bill in the caller on the same time. The first caller is hunter from Summerville.

Hunter named after my grand they go during the year. Earlier. Awesome yeah I capitol rotunda here but there's good there's a part of the warranty by biography where foreign -- on China cleanup. And going okay and then there's the power what it'll hang out with so -- Yeah yeah add new that was played I outfit that saw my car culture -- understand why won't based upon -- Billy is the one guy was a bad influence on warned he thought. That that the U and includes more zero.

Well I hate it when I met him he was really only one -- Jack Daniel's and Coke in the Roman like that a man that parties like this is gonna die. So he he got that win. And he was not but -- rehab after my album many had detox mansion on deep dark film but that. The needle and the damage that which goes that Neil Young yeah you know and it's all in a related we all lived on the same area the same beach. We all ran the same circles and the only difference between them and I. If I ran six miles a day and I stayed pretty good shape really well right you know and they they -- that -- both thin but they did not. I don't think they had the foundation that I have and that but the reason why people thought I'd be dead along time ago but. I just -- picked up.

Your brother live 360 you always said Vermont -- go to Sean in the car you run would -- no Leo oh Sean.

I don't like it -- Edit it but I respect -- Billy ball -- lawyer turned. I would. It's which country club -- ten years ago eleven years ago. And -- and and they to or some back yet recent very met one guy. And that was there was that -- Moses. And there on the I don't know fourteen or maybe. Errant tee box into this Sunday afternoon. And I'm in little bear lake come this diet -- sure short. Yeah he's -- scandal like you said. And comics what the guidebook private club was this guy turn up the bill -- fairway. Lock up the box some might like to delete the old guard. And you -- Gary handshakes I don't my hand. He -- charity drive running all I don't even -- the lefty -- or -- golfer but he took Jerry driver. What about 270 down the middle and watch on the barely. -- the wedge. In at about 88 and the pin. Got the green. During the putter upside down -- left pit and walked up support.

Beautiful and London with the there was thirty to Q in his golf bags. It's not well backed bill do you remember that episode would Moses.

I don't remember I only played one in the hole that I got and I played it put one under title --

If so we I think we cut it up early we let -- all I think we get back to Gary Powell on the court. And and has built now on the basement. -- in the wall and drink you know whatever else you don't.

maybe drink and -- Sean thanks for that call -- you we you do hit I would argue do you play golf righty yeah you batted lefty throw lefties do everything else lefty why why you write him a golfer.

golf because that -- another thing that the club brought you know you have left clubs available you know they weren't available there are right -- so I learned to play right handed.

It's weird to see you hit radio broke gonna switch hit and if you can golf Friday why not try to hit right -- here's.

Can switch that I am I hit a -- plan BM has the allied hit more home runs right handed they do left.

Edit -- they don't tell tell Joe Hagerty who don't with -- year you're released from the Expos who led the Expos and batting average.

I hit 340 and I let the things the blob and led the team ERA. That -- seven relative to its. And they released and generally yes do you think anybody had enough Floyd about oh my god please is it thought the grant.

Think about all that and I've lived long enough that this stuff is all in the book it's all written. So people can look it up and --

Yeah you know beat you actually have five books -- for it.

for books -- just got a call from. -- him to write another one called -- Fenway Park.

Now your your little red Red Sox book the little red book what do you do you had a the wrong stuff. Yeah have glove will travel yeah but it all except her big baseball eccentrics I have all of my just configure the eccentric from a someone Yogi -- on the cover.

That's Yogi -- and that's why I can't believe they put yogi on the cover of the book that I wrote.

I have to -- you don't they screwed yogi Steinbrenner -- you'll -- for a long time by you today that was an awful thing he's fine leave our guests sort of fixed it but. -- did take a legend of baseball legend -- Yankee legend like Yogi Berra and not -- no -- not attend the ballpark for twenty years.

Exactly that they appreciated unions you know you can't afford it come what Forrest Gump like genius yeah I I think that. That -- autistic -- bought that that type of thing as what maybe in such a great ball player he didn't think. You know -- the bad ball hitter and me you'll go down in history as one of the greatest. You don't -- of all.

Yes stop thinking that just don't think so much you heard the ball club I knew right don't think yeah let's go -- and rotate it. They've -- did when you are at the expose you ever crossed paths with -- Terry Francona when he was coming up morning.

He was on my team in 79 he was a little lucky you know have a lot of long hair from Arizona's state was. You know just as smart as well what he did you know you like to not knowing what the US cities though we can't look down on everybody we were. We were. We were we're kind of like John Warden was the basketball -- data was the.

USC yeah with a radio there's far you're that you need is the 1968. World Series of the college World Series champion.

Yep we -- champions I was gonna make you know I've won three ball game there and that I signed with a Red Sox and -- cut that.

Yeah and I think that's that's -- yet -- Michael and JP wants to talk to bill go ahead Michael.

Hey -- out of the -- big fan. -- I want to ask your question -- you guys are mentioning Marvin Miller anchor blood. I'll actually wanted to ask you about. Your thoughts on. Why wouldn't they are more support for him amongst players there is the the time you went to court and no active players showed up. You're in the league at that time I'm just wonder why. Why wasn't there more support -- as you thought -- flat. Curt -- kept signing his contract.

It you have to play with an unsigned contract before you could break the cause and that's what mr. Schmidt and Ed McNally. It was the policy that we adapted because -- with every time what would then there he had the reserve -- once you sign it. Then make your contract states that this club as you for another year so he had no bargaining. But if you didn't sign it and you played then you were declared a free agent met we did. Okay. At that was all right Michael yes.

Thank thanks to call you we have Paul in Whitman. -- also wants to talked to bill hello Paul.

Our guys were you really good -- you don't. I case shouted throw out or slogans. -- It's sort of I want -- here you know. You know these is still won't boot print just also I am home sick and I am telling you -- so why not dedicating.

True if I don't it's still -- lead not the ninth inning we don't have game seven. But I it's gonna rain delay. -- minutes. Giving seven and then how many -- you know pitch in the big leagues and a World Series and have a rain delay in the seventh inning and come back and procreate. And then go up -- golden night.

Doesn't that's true or yeah it also happened now I know that what would people always talk about would you and it's important source of irritation must be for you wiz is the basis.

Exactly and they think bench Perez and Foster in the ninth inning in -- one ball game with a leading times would you think. Francona would let people around overnight that's.

No and you potentially both games with the lead I looked all but always. And and then Jim -- no who came in note Jim Burton or somebody who was.

before that it was. -- Rangel gave up the tying run in the -- right right Fredricka and they don't give up the winning run that I know give up the tying run in the media. In the other game but I wasn't on the map I got a no decision that's all -- them.

John does in the car one more for Billy before we let him get back to don't -- weeding discard --

It and think. Bill like that so much I'd like to -- record so. I put I saw you pitched beyond the -- and 75 the world's ugliest game. I believe it's October 12 two I would get -- service from Germany announced I was not transferred out of require air force base in New Jersey and I just separate them became one and you weren't all that. And I think that's being that big yard game where they. What they -- chicken stew on the odds are that you pay you flip it capped off in the middle of your warmup pitch well and hope that you -- that.

I didn't -- and -- enacted back on on I'd whip up and knock it off and let them back on sometimes they over my eyes. Then I don't want to let.

One of the best lines I ever heard and the response they'll probably go back the 75 of their votes. Well what I love about you but I I advise you -- the same -- I used to I get fired march records and that. It's not been about -- seems to be put on just to get attention it's like you were you were genuine as well as teaching -- You want all these Bob runner -- that it's there it was it's saying whatever you want to say even with Fred. That may -- other in irate at what.

And things -- it's different about dead now John -- thank. -- right you think something's changed it since don't go and I've baby.

Right exactly yeah I think relevant background by British step by the way yeah. -- I'm Robert Baker -- court you do get a call but I know what you think the California hey don't do is ask. About this strategy -- racism that we didn't set well. They're not I think I need Microstrategy -- Picnic but batting practice in a hotel lobby and heartbreak anybody that's right then I don't know I don't know how many -- that -- your cell -- it was a great lies. Thanks thanks thanks can't do.

You know that the follow that story was Dick Williams heard it was -- you and I mean jolt any doubt -- ball and they took batting practice in the lobby and all that is the last and I went out I thought thirteen yet. Gave up one run -- walk single and Dick Williams that he was right.

The thirteen hits all singles -- fact that you were right he -- at the now there as summary Texan we earlier and said that you were doing some -- museum of science and you broke some glass on a fire extinguisher Doris something try to show -- Barcelona --

that was the -- they noticed the bottom of the stairway at the Museum of Science they have this -- Rod yeah that opens up or use flight all the slightly cheers and and I threw a curve ball that was so perfect -- hit right there in every one of those flat opened up. It was like mad.

There's -- in the field of slap opening currently used to having your repertory eight billion or -- to be kind of a little Billy moment this season what did you think about Dallas Braden when Alex Rodriguez ran across the mountains panel are.

My god I I heard that they went nuts and stuff in anyway appropriately in his unbelievable yeah and that but I looked at him -- the guy isn't doesn't happen you know so he's through -- he doesn't throw hard and add that he had a great game and you know that may be the last great game everything.

Right -- John didn't throw hard -- throw hard -- then an unwritten rule. Not to gross amount like --

Yeah there is an unwritten rule YouTube I -- guys doing all the time and stuff that I never paid attention good but I think there rod did it. -- that are affected. You know I mean I knew guys Bob Gibson back in the days when you hit yourself. You know -- A-Rod came up here I would at a slider right.

Rick -- lobbyists who would definitely take care what bill is great to talk you'll see August 2 of the half we kept me Jimmy Fund golf tournament and cam. And now we'll look forward that we'll keep auctioning off this so foursome and you its great talk we will see you soon don't say hello to let Diana --

Thank you love that place Jeff Baker they have a halfway house up here.

Thanks a lot thanks that's this policemen live from -- very Vermont -- in studio -- John Ryder will be right back.