Tom Verducci

For the final hour Dennis and Callahan and dale Arnold alongside our friend from Sports Illustrated poverty she joined -- on the ball lies morning Tom how aria. -- are well hey are you were ready to concede the American league east the American league get up pennant and the World Series to be 23 intent Boston Red Sox.

Era the he would talk about there. It's a lot of it or not that. Here but there are good it. It's their point out --

Right any other maybe two factors at least two factors are elements at play here in that would be the pitching and the and the bullpen. And the fact that anybody who's going to make a run at them seem severely flawed I mean I don't see the New York Yankees no matter how healthy they get. Run off 19 of 21 games general make up a lot of ground quickly on the team.

Yeah I -- obviously you have rot in at all think he. He went out that might not be it -- the best -- when you look at that natural loop. The Detroit Cleveland and possibly I think that's right lately and -- in the upper. That's I think that the double -- but it it. Eric about the that -- at the ball back post here but. -- the Yankees still you know Clement coming back any direct British right handed pitcher all get -- early pitcher all get. Guys that are basically crap he all but ultimately -- today in Albany right up that it in my outfit you're ever ride by. You know that verse Mark the it and really created -- all that being that this. They can't or another you know 23 -- well Barrett is the they have. Went well all the way. One really hot -- you know they have -- like -- not yet.

Gerry Callahan is still not working because were continuing to hose him down after your pre season piece about Daisuke Matsuzaka. And getting your mailbag this week. You had a a writer from Boston -- are you ready to admit your height best of Daisuke it was a mistake I guess this was before his game in Toronto.

Yeah that was before they -- Iraq -- attic and I thought he would dominate early got out just. Be good at early on -- Dominic has not been dominate. What is -- that he. If they'll wind up with if he wins at least at least 5 ERA and basket put him among the top and -- accurately in the art -- I'm not what I like about it that you guys it's being at peace at -- four games now where he had just lost command for whatever reason. What got hit at a real long bad inning. And then what. Brit that we've seen that this guy is editor does not yet at work like he Richard is -- it back pretty you're into the situation. It off get desperate need deal -- this guy ever been hit or really work I'm. Or eat it for -- group are the lineup you're not yet -- that it healed and I think his editor of wired is there well I did it not been that dominate early on it -- good not great but I will they be better at.

I I I do want to -- playoffs something need to set this John and I were talking about this earlier. I'm not sure the American league east is as good as we thought it was going into the season either and I'm not sure that. That you know that the teams in the AL -- beaten up on each other and using Daisuke as our example is necessarily going to happen either.

Well that's the good point because we get -- yet saying it any jerk reaction how well the elite that -- baseball well it's not and it really want last year either and it is not the offensive power it is well be that the red I think they -- you -- the year where your. I had -- all the injuries they're not anybody that and they. So I would of the nationally is it better -- at. There at all yet and it York the central -- is that the days of baseball are barely -- think that they got a lot of the year right at me. And I got we have to break -- that mind that at the elite loaded with that in -- And the the bit -- not the case they'll pop for my supper lineup night -- started burnout or a pocket you know it that it is.

We're -- Sports Illustrated -- Gucci and I'm wondering Tom -- travels your phone calls your -- around Major League Baseball have you heard any Daisuke theories about why those melt down moments were taking place it's not as if he can't pitch you know in here and pitch well in 90% of what he's doing out there it's just that one moment or two. That's why -- heard is. He's getting squeezed by America league umpire who don't give him the respect the that he might have gotten in Japan reacting badly to not getting you know calls on the paint that he might have gotten last year in the years before that.

I don't cocky intense -- we guy today you know I'd be think there's an adjustment to strike out and general topic they doubt about that one record arrogant. I outside Dick that this is on at that they -- he would say not right now well. -- that that's inherit it wave you know it is the work off the bat on everything pol -- the bat. Memo which is very that -- there are a lot of pitchers. It worked completely opposite -- are basically about it he that bad although there era but ire that the and it made it out the -- As -- cricket bat while in the strike they'll break in. But you know I would want the best early chain -- americanized it's well anecdotal more that's -- dominated repertoire at who yet. Big cart -- read the article into the break up Eddie -- get back.

I would guess that while the great things about being at your station in life and being respected. Right of the to our Sports Illustrated allows the freedom to come up an and and write things such as if you were starting a franchise today and could pick a player off of any major league roster who would it be and you set the criteria for -- little exercise that you must out of turn 25 yet that's some fun stuff it's great great rating and I'm wondering. Technically if papelbon hadn't turned 26 on opening day would -- of major list because he's noticeable by his absence.

Yeah probably not be like. Not and it. The spot starting -- I still value a -- yeah. Q what inning court and -- and maybe that would hurt him at starter I was -- franchise you know that would that the value value in relief pitcher. And you don't just look at the wake mr. debate where you'll never really fourth starter paid more money than. Some of the best runner all the while though. Held a -- in. Things are accurate more valuable that would be the only thing that would prevent me. -- thick -- work the that is not not valued at more and -- Apple.

Now the interesting thing about this is I need to explain to me in this list of the top ten franchise players that you pick under the age of 25. You list Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera as a number one yet the guy you list number two Grady Sizemore gets -- this week. At at a of that work

I -- I don't cover yeah exactly. You know as I thought the march of fire about this issue that he would India's -- and yet it though these red eyes are and -- you know our -- so what about where it. It's additionally you want built in or out of the that'll position shortstop that are -- catcher are they're the most diet and -- pitcher but I think sparked a short not think that the catcher. You know out of the corner of the field the middle it important -- the mayor -- at all but. I think Cabrera makes not that we is that mean this guy. Are there is that the you closed your eyes are at practice. Outlet that earned it and the ball is that different now about the disguised as and -- when he missed that not every year in the big -- you don't get a better. To me there's nothing better than middle of the order guy at the battle field. But lacking guy at third base not rated 30 okay but Mike Doughty is drop in at the that the -- It is very well one earned every year.

them always in the last three nights my answer might be not long in your opinion how long does John Gibbons last in Toronto in his JP rich RT on tonight's.

I think great question because I think they've reached the point with injury here where it up to evaluate the and it may actually help is job security. The is that he would be rationalized that that it is that ever really played -- and here it and it through you know I -- deep that any situation especially Ronald where they have pop up payroll that money is they have. He result whether it GM or manager though but then there either one that we expect. I had inspected the ear rationalize that the model based on the -- there I didn't. I did expect -- get a a lot of people but they're going to be yet but they were pretty and a that there my right hand about that the late. It's like they're they'll let you know -- act now is that well here. Not that there were a little bit overrated coming in but as a as well that well everybody out especially B. J. Ryan. And our latest. I would were among he'd like pampered and like he would expect that.

You probably didn't see the game last night that we you know we were watching it here in Jerry Remy pointed out that Roy Halladay just didn't look Normal -- didn't look Normal the first time the Red Sox faced him. You talk about injury issues in Toronto with talladega it's added to that mix it gets you know multiplied by ten is he okay physically.

You know that always request it was right I mean he's obviously been -- and more than at last year year but that bears watching. -- had arm issues elbow issues -- about that now. I have not heard anything myself a lot of -- but when he does it hit it last night. Yet they are -- it happened more than one but it ran up. I had not heard a thing myself out they'd -- and again he's a guy Apple -- but it appears they get -- they continue to go this way. You know your pocket about it is that -- the dollar player and why am I think it is it is an aggressive bird. Very realistic about it and he knows it better for next year. Without -- out all spoke that the cracked a rally that the visit. Are --

Albert issue with view and we'd trying to project what Roger Clemens might do -- Yankee uniform and as he could turn from 44 to 45. Should we rely more on our prediction the last three seasons in Houston numbers the previous three seasons before that in New York or something worse.

Out light socket has two to three year a bright indeed in -- it is. Think about Roger and he may have a lot a couple of miles on an hour fastball probably it's mostly at night like Eddie do it. -- but I got over it commanded actually got alot better. Nobody better at pitching around people you know making -- all look like strikes strikes like all. And that reason and aren't there anymore I think he might -- Eric. Hire your so you know what he's -- make about what he wants when he -- start. Our Vieira and you know let. That's what it -- term. Adult like at Yankee is that but he in the back the evil -- that the that the city I and it. Why he knocked out there people probably ever. And I expect that. What ever patient.

best you can tell what's going on behind closed doors in the offices of the commissioner and Major League Baseball. As bonds gets closer and closer what discussions are being had what's being said what's the plan for when he's about the tire but about to go ahead.

Well opt out of all of the giant they always do in Milwaukee UDA yeah it is a lot did not step if he horrid he could happen. In the paper but they've well I have prior commitment there are you know. It that the cockpit that the occupant started -- back yard as we'd respect it right. I think I think he'd been out that badly -- act like that about it record doesn't care that he's. Help the leader at a credit operate here for Barrett on that note that the record we don't act on record. But I don't want to be seen as a cheerleader I think he's going to do everything and not to be there is obviously is -- all albeit.

Which in your estimation would create more criticism of Selig if he showed up or he didn't.

The break -- I had not thought about that yeah I admit fully understandable -- not -- is there

the game and when he at ceremony you know treat that the same way Arab street. I would have more problems with -- I like it and I think we know how baseball and he'll correct it not been partly -- that though I'd rather -- hit Beecher is fiction. And that had to be a rather subdued celebration an acknowledgment you know take out that these they've brought back day neck and it. But in the front row of the ballpark -- pineiro all played very up front plate I don't know I think I would have a problem or would that.

What's been the national perspective on the Curt Schilling stuff from this week.

I think are probably that if you'd think that the players Biehl. I think they are being public will it be. About it a problem with people went wire went back on you Barrett -- any comments that are at least. Patient at -- of that is right yeah bring knowledge right there on the back at it grand jury testimony that he did. It a little bit you'd think there right. E on eight all bonds has never count single back in that both that there ought now. Ever talent back they're not made that well reported that -- was or is he now that it was. Yeah I believe that he did I'm sure a lot of players then why. The same time most players as they -- Line why not the or -- cherry red bank things I don't picket the universe -- it -- Barry whether it.

here's where I think it was a it and it's out of something but I applauded and then something that disappointed me because he felt compelled Martin apologized and I think what he was apologizing for what's including the wife and the taxes situation in with the other. An aunt and my my one would have been but he stood -- listen we know what he did -- all got this record he cheated by the bad guy and left that at bat but by including the white from the taxes in this he was roundly criticized I think the end result in my estimation -- what you -- is -- closes the -- anybody within the ranks of Major League Baseball to stand -- point -- Barry -- and -- and -- this -- this is about --

I hit it well yeah yeah I doubt about it -- I would not the case you'd think. Right that and it the -- area in the area. That's where probably got -- figured that it -- and what probably alone it -- at the wire that -- they truly.

You know your time will tell you know where who he was talking to when he set all the stuff right

it's called John denizens have a a a -- Well I only asked that we should hold our noses Barry Bonds breaks this record and then then that's what happened. -- What -- chances he breaks this record anywhere but San Francisco 01%.

Yeah I I I don't -- that low but I do feel like it's -- possibility that they happen. Clearly he walked that the giants want that they boarded a whole lot of awkward. This -- pride. As we have seen the video there that's correct this all right will be. Or ever you know. And what we have a more media outlets that we expect that they merit it it though. It will be -- hundreds if ever hank everybody else all camera on the as though you really want the picture of the people at the bowling on.

And parlance syringe is on the field exact.

Exactly right I think the giants are aware. Not yet the word it means they're bad but the reverse is true. Terrible BR -- that last forever and let this I get to possibly I think they'll read it. As much in -- and an extra.

Is that mister Robertson he's our friend from Sports Illustrated always a pleasure talking baseball with -- he would on the road. There and talk -- with that deal and dale