Mike Lupica

Welcome back one of -- favorite guests joins us in the studio today. If you construct a wake up -- this one's got a copy and welcome to our world my starting his tour we get my -- getting out yeah off it goes on opening day jitters the opening book toward jazz out a little nervous we're -- we're really -- the Michael is new -- 40 ninth street just the second speaking of opening day in spring training which Yankee is more likely to be alive and well playing for a working for the Yankees when spring training commences Sheffield A-Rod or George stein.

Oh -- yeah yeah -- has -- sometimes -- it's it's it's as a wizard of -- quality like -- actually think he was fairly lucid and well within his rights again man after the loss in the first round again and it was well within his rights to think about. Changing managers whoever you were on board -- Tori fan but I was surprised that -- You came out well party -- that ideas that I said it ago I actually talked it Brian Cashman last week -- said. You know if you limit the debate to camp argent Turkish loss in the first and tigers you -- I cannot -- you win it today. -- they've lost three times in the first the last five years. Got to the World Series could beat the Marlins team that they out payroll by about a 130 million -- and oh by the way and I 2000 force -- for the worst collapse in the history of the sport was against the yeah so. They spent a billion to it and number aren't allowed to throw around its accurate on baseball players of the last six years to not win the World Series -- in New York. That's still treated like some sort of aberrations like some statistical anomaly and I can tell people know the statistical anomaly was winning four World Series in the six years before that and my whole thing which -- And just -- been apparent in my for 30 years okay and I I had a slight hand in and and helping him get his first job in Atlantic as I -- some people talk and some details okay but if -- got all that credit when they -- How does he get any of it the blame when they don't win. As we built him up in to this mythic figure in New York we get more all the credit for those teams. And may now when it doesn't work out at somebody else's -- Sosa or shortly issue could we expect of -- a bad a couple of months that -- Tori goes mid season and he picky makes it through next year regardless well. They've now got their manager waiting for the first time Don mattingly news this by the as my favorites have offered at the billion -- they now have five bench coaches in five years did this to me is in new world record Jimmy Randolph security. -- Italy that you have they have to throw somebody under the bus so is that -- Sam account they have taken dramatic measures since they lost the tigers have -- their PR guy their bench coach or style like their it is it's just --

Bad idea. Was it was pinellas availability flashpoint there was up part of the lore when Jordan saying should -- or not or should I.

Sure yeah yeah I mean I'd look -- a great manager I I think he has and right. My whole thing was I just thought maybe it was time for different points in the room I think that there aggressive mode Jeter wants to back -- you know it's the only manager he's ever had I mean they run the team together so -- I you know whatever it does your relationship with people it's -- Will fences need to be -- between Joe to orient A-Rod. Now now now even know I I think that dropping him day right with him no big -- him put him in the batting -- supreme last thing -- minutes it's you know I I set at the time the -- reason about it me it's because he wasn't allowed to that tent site. Saw you know -- I would move of the guy but there -- they look at their team in the tournament bottom of this guy where's my right hand power as -- obviously going to move Sheffield's I think he's going to be there but I. I I just don't think this is ever going to work I still don't think the Red Sox. Of the protection still be looking for the first. World Series in 99 years since they ride if -- had an -- man I do believe that you're convinced that trade him lead to now I'm not convinced now than they say they're not you know he does have a no trade clause but you know he he has given himself an out by saying. If they come to me and really want to move me. It -- is not a two point five million dollar player on their payroll is 15. -- about that that the Rangers signed him to the biggest project in the history of the universe and three years later were willing to pay 60 million dollars to get somebody to take them the guy off their hands it that would pick about it he can't do nothing until October changed the tone changed his reputation. Change this whole picture until October he could win MVP -- 50s on -- 40 rbi it won't matter -- yet you want if there is. Something that could happen to him the way it happened the Barry Bonds has burba is a huge post season failure until finally it was that the October when they couldn't get him. I I don't know if that will ever happen with with this guy but. The whole team they create this culture now New York it's very interesting. They sell they sell winning at all they sell it would both hands Yankee stadium. And then when they get knocked out in the first round they tell -- what we did you know we have finished personally us you can't have it both ways. They're the ones who set this for -- Jeter talked about all the time the -- talked about all the time it's win the World Series or or box and an and then all of us and they turned into braves -- with a scenario we have experts.

We we we know what A-Rod saying publicly about wanting to be Yankee 100% committed to being a Yankee in his heart of hearts. But to think there's some part that says it would be easier on me to go.

Somewhere else yes but I think it all mr. ego will not allow him to have failed. The failure being October -- this grandest stage and that's. What people will remember but I do think he'd be happier in Chicago or Anaheim right or or at shortstop because obviously he's got Jerry the -- with third base right now I don't know PPP. Next year he'll hit. But he could he could continue to pupils all over my -- Updated this to the manager of the team and he didn't he he he says now and then but that. As it every morning when the Spanish game. He looks in the mirror and says about your shirts Natalie who shorts that you were on your way to being that great shortstop to ever play this game and you voluntarily move 50 feet. To your right to put yourself in the same infield. With a guy who's always going to be love more the more I mean it's almost. It's six period but don't you think now these kicked -- balls all the places -- be okay final plan over the do you think it's still have this mental block yes he says you play shortstop is a great piece several years ago Bob Greene story for and square -- about it frank -- I think Atlanta was the coolest guy in the room right. And he gets -- to talk him out of football career. And this -- little moment we're Gifford says will -- on a quarterback. I was thought of myself as Daria and it what -- age that's -- eight that he got a quarterback since he left -- and he's and I'll -- I should have been quarterback in the -- I thought of myself as a quarterback. Alex Rodriguez is a shortstop at.

Physically -- what are your eyeballs tell you has he not gotten bigger slower little more ponderous is he able to place opposite sort of moot point while Jeter's breathing -- Is -- a bigger guy that it was 34 years ago.

Yes is added to stick John -- how these athletes get bigger as they ago and it -- now you know taste it and I'm not pointing okay this is just expanding the -- Every time I'll write a sentence him well this this this thing this wonderful Sunday that mr. it is you don't know. And it comes out she's right she's right and I I cannot tell you who's you know era as the best example 'cause we he's the last man standing week if they're all suspects. I think the last one was surprised as the most era when does enough home runs to assess. I threw his habits you that's -- thing I don't know yet the government's assessment as a suspicious of him pitch and I got a better every time I looked Guillermo Mota cities juice in the guys do it. I didn't think it was Kenny Rogers is breaking ball that was getting people. Five extra miles an hour on his. Gonna he would of people with his fastball. That was what was much more stunning to me than would have you know that CS I think -- at 41 and that can tell remind you that this has never been done before the oldest pitcher an Oates is the oldest. Chasing Christy Mathewson and this is Kenny Rogers says Roger Clemens Randy Johnson and it it. And he's now setting new standards for over 40 pitchers year forget started 30 team like the ones that long time in nobody's fastball it's better after the eight to 35. Everybody's asked bought it better right after the age of 35 and and this to -- was the most. Sometimes the baseball -- I do believe have a hand in and literally left and because from the moment -- and one out and talked about. Kenny Rogers is a game they won that night in one game worlds there were two great pieces justice in this world is that that he didn't get to blow people away everyone is doing. And -- and Scott Rolen came back and buried in the mets' hitters guys that great player.

All -- also resurrected himself because -- haven't had gone the other way he would have been forever questions why did you get Kenny Rogers out of that series as it turns out it mattered not because he never pitched again on the I don't know.

Whether it was -- take the -- writers say pirates guys because -- our guys aren't aren't we did -- expand the discussion we're all okay now you care about the rules or doing it mr. juices are elements -- back you know however he can guess what. Tony la Russa pat Riley. Same -- sort of. Enhance their alleged all over it yet I think for -- cute she had the peace on this great piece on this but don't tell me the tone the rose at that I wrote music humans look great. He must I think he knew that -- and two were buried Leland to. What his guys that's great Celine it's that I know what continent -- I know what whoever does -- Jeff Weaver better example I know what Weaver's do -- out there now wait for Jeff and I'll call him on that these guys are tight they talked they know which guys -- doing what. He didn't want. With I go to game seven Mets cardinals. Two of the loop of bores you with my next door neighbor in the state. I it for the first time in my life I get a foul ball. A ball ball comes right to me. In the -- okay. It's is I won't take who's pitching it doesn't matter of via the figured okay this is great keep Brown's if not and I end up for after I stopped you know hauling some kids conceded daddy actually got -- They'd date sorted picketed gotten in in my area.

I'm very excited I know guys the lady in -- not an out it was Atlanta between me mark -- in New York Post but I I kinda game -- they got -- you know an upset and -- and then look at this thing and and now. And less and each -- this really low on his bat what is this was its -- it was brown yes it was some -- but the psychology -- just like you hear of this crime scene shifts which puts pressure area technical. Woods' no cuts in it -- but I expect this it I I come to this from 1986 Mike Scott Davey Johnson sit there with a back fullest balls and they get ready have to face him in game seven put it one game six you know how how great.

Situation was never brought to light after he accused of -- the ball in no -- bestow on -- won this thing brought to light. And and things that we collected 45 balls that he scuffle how to -- race probably fired by now yet.

Thank you can them made some looks right is -- perception in New York down there in New York that the Red Sox are are gonna get worse before they get better because they got all kinds holes -- finished third. They have all kinds issues before they can actually be you know like cult favorites again with the Yankees they -- ago I don't think they they are dismissive and I I think that they know enough about -- And now. That this killed in I mean I'm sure that none of them you know this. This even when it was over in now you know how -- that this that they had stunning collapse -- is that in the Yankees just didn't you know hit them victim flights there okay. I don't I don't I don't have that feeling I I think that they think that there will be aggressive again and they've got pitching issues it's -- and the Yankees pitching mean. -- got a surgically. You know repaired 44 going 45 year old back mussina they're talking about bring him back even -- really big game for about five years -- wrong -- game one starter. They more likely to get the big Japanese is that John Tuesday that guys like to get the Japanese. -- like but -- or Zito or ball. I anybody who gives -- long term contract -- and -- and -- where you know reports that the isn't saying let me. I just kind of -- on dismissive of the scene he's one he was one of the great free agent pitching buys in history they got six seasons this guy that you go back across the 30 plus years -- free agency okay. In UC -- how many times. People too long term money. And it and start pitcher and had him pitching it even it.

Now high level -- I would like to get half of that got a peavy all short yeah idea of that yeah it -- Was a good pitcher gets injuries but he was a good pitcher -- six years until on it if you spend more than three years and a pitcher I think your insane I think you -- and stop happens stuff and the Curt Schilling and he was old habits stop happens to to -- sign Sheffield keep away and in the trade him to keep away from Austin do you think. And it would be a pain like somebody's -- it was a want to pick up that last year. I I I mildly thinking is that they think that they can they'll have they can now asserted decide ago that you know if you're -- power broker that's not a bad position to be because. You know what we found out about -- on the -- he not anybody complain first when you this guy play at first base and you think while. That would happen if Jason sent. Holy -- is he -- to -- authority somebody's side wherever he goes he doesn't want to go. I don't know I think he's at the warning in anybody -- the moment -- no matter what Jackie can hit though he can pay always remember Steinbrenner wanted him catch anyone think about that do you think about how things might have -- to -- these guys.

Michael because 437 book miracle on 40 ninth street is now out in fact he'll be at the borders Ian Peabody tonight at the -- short ball at 7 o'clock. And and and the whirlwind to beat Washington Florida Chicago Dallas -- San Francisco were honored to kick off here tell me about miracle on 40 ninth street.

Well it's a Boston it's -- Boston book the man in America reporting nicer party is that there is there's a couple of big scenes it one of the most magical places -- the Chris mister Rockefeller plaza but this is that this about a Boston Celtic. And a 12 broker I I have I've created sort of like Tom Brady -- point guard for the Boston Celtics whose name is Josh Cameron he is the -- of bird in cousy -- Steve Nash he's the golden boy of professional sports. And a 12 year old girl shows up at Waltham in the training center one -- hides behind his car and tells him that she's daughters that he did not know he hello. He has marketed himself as the anti every bad thing in sports and as spotless and -- it turns out that his college sweetheart went off to junior year -- never came back she has passed away there is no other family. The girl fine this year it's sort of made up the story. About the girls bother -- she didn't like that the direction that Josh Cameron's like is going even if she didn't want to kid pitched the cute figures it out. And because the circumstances of the book she's got about eight weeks to make him -- and -- and actually. Become a better person and she and her sidekicks emblem a 12 -- they -- hatch ways to keep running into this guy is that when she tells them that that he's your dad. The big basketball star responds by getting into his car and leaving there and traffic way Monica sits at SUV and -- but she places rookies brave wonderful kid and it's it's it's it's so much et cetera and the public gardens and and and and.

Comment L yet now I told the story earlier I've made my 12 I told you are ready by poem I'd made my 12 year old who is the most voracious reader on the planet -- any age. I made rich doesn't like sports and usually she doesn't like what -- recommend best. Posted you have I think I've paid her off. And that was funny she read it like a day yes aren't really devour an that's an analyst Susan all right my wife tells -- she loved that you just doesn't want to admit it in -- that you were right is that okay what she loved it and she doesn't even exports.

Now a Trout out of wedlock for this for this come as Jon Murphy was kind of a step forward and I'm not saying this -- risque topic but it's. So little -- social yet situation right now I.

These books I don't. -- these books that bright -- but what I've done in every one of these books he. And travel team now this and and that's one you know knock on wood it debuted at number four last night and the time so we're we're going grew these things. I give kids stuff to overcome and and -- it would somebody pointed this out to me and I hadn't thought of it and it it it organizes the book in my head the role model in this book. Is is a 12 year old kid who who doesn't feel sort Purcell who gets up smile on every time she gets knocked down and continues to believe in happy endings and she becomes much more role model than the start and there's a smarmy agent but it's there's a lot of. There's a lot of TV -- does not out -- this was this is really a love letter to the Celtics and and even though it you know she she starts talking about the garden she says it's not that garden but -- her body knows everything about the old garden and they. That there's a little lost in New York quality they're kinda hang around north station they stick around security guards and is a lot of backstage stuff that I try to imagine what would be like if a 12 year old kid who didn't grow up in this. Got this backstage pass to this insane kinda celebrity it's and it's hey you know a sense -- the other -- the great thing about these books he has. I get to make sports and life. Come -- one you know and and -- for 240 pages -- whatever it is I get to be in church and and and and good kids -- the day in the bad guys get -- hitters and it's it's in the situation would be.

It's called miracle on 40 ninth street it's Mike Lucas latest to be had borders up in Peabody at the north -- mall at 7 o'clock tonight -- book signing. Join him there if you like you be happening say hello.

For ego we all have a Renault back story and you have more than one but Ellis a blow win knew her 123 years old but on the other pilots -- look at okay we -- we go -- to break capsule okay. My editor at the New York Post when I started in 1975 covering the New York was demanding policy he was -- our backs he basically called appeal me and it's going to be skewed so parts talk about backstage pass. I was in the the old office in Boston garden from the time I was 23 years. He used to have my dad he's given his seat my dad would come down once years ago was sent two teams in the -- a guy and if I didn't call him he will call me up it's which you better you'll mend and like me anymore. And so -- I would come down some nights and sit in my -- this is still a great job to -- why as sick as they discuss about the phone. And I bat on the ball for 45 minutes it couldn't -- murder she wrote was argue that either I'm I vote him out -- I've I've of -- issue when it was on US he knew that there was now we couldn't call him. But then so I I have this relationship with them I get too quick stories that -- about my dad. My dad is 82 now on race come upon -- debate -- to and and he had -- accomplished anything serious in -- dad got likes him but I wanted to start walking with a walking stick is a thought it would empower him. So anyway I'm talking to read one dancing in my five -- while he says well I do which is number. -- the phone number New Hampshire so you met him at -- them on the phone rings this is what he -- stop being a schmuck. There's a lot of most famous voices in America and they vehicle ran around they have want to get my daggers out and gets one it -- that take one of the quick story this -- The 50 anniversary teams are being in ten years ago a cat and everybody's got a blue ribbon panel and they did the all time this yup and that's -- I got a guy who was there when they opened up shop so congrats to your microchip down you're -- comes up -- all time team. And it was really funny story about these guys that upon in the end -- to a okay right now today. I give you one pick Russell Michael. -- he says Michael a check on line and he in -- in laughs and he says remember I was a businessman to you've got to be realistic. So -- Jerry it to me it said to me of course he loved Russell the best but he's you could see how modern ethnic unity both line of this and so were -- he remained modern moderate to our loved him it's it's it's. It's as as I said to some of the day it's now like one guy the room it's like a thousand of the.

He's our friend Mike -- author columnist and TV host miracle on 40 ninth street again Peabody borders tonight at the north shore -- at 7 o'clock good luck with the book good to see him like -- I start -- here. And that's what Washington Florida opening Chicago Dallas Pasadena that's easier is slightly gulfstream so easy to volleys these cities in -- five -- for a.

Money was then that the -- it's made in Iraq pathetic death. And is staying power yes Honda -- good to see it go look at the book thank you guys so my Dennis and Callahan -- four straight again