Ken Macha

Welcome back our number three Dennis and Callahan Bob -- alongside. Pretend market as I'm sure you know spent a four seasons in the Red Sox organization before going out west Oakland. I believe was -- four seasons there as a bench coach before he became beat TT. -- the 16 manager like seventh manager in in their history in 2002 where he compiled a very impressive 275 and 211 record in his three seasons as manager of -- amazed that -- percent by the way Bob Nomar second best market Oakland history blockage is on the ball lies a good morning Ken how -- great why -- managing. Question you're you're not adverse to what you would take some phone calls correct

that's exactly right yeah. But you know what I think after last season it's probably best the situation -- for Oakland and myself. That that we we kind of recall part ties probably -- got -- what he -- do out there and and -- felt like come a lot of things that I did as a manager -- contradictory to what the he really wanted blow. I think it's proposed.

being drive you nuts

well I can't say that but almost no actually I -- a lot of baseball up there. They've got as everybody does little different way -- about -- players in building Eaton and things like that in. And their philosophy about hitting runner on base percentage so a lot of things that night I picked up but there right baker going to be very helpful -- in the future but I -- thankful for the opportunity it was a great experience not too many guys get a chance their first job managing to get -- team that has can't win. And we certainly didn't win and I mean I just put -- Terry Francona he. His first job was and it's in -- in he learned how to manage but that was under arrest because of -- other that the the police at that particular time so. They have great experience you know it's tough guy -- worked for but there's a lot of situations where the guys are often you know on me I'm -- Comptroller pitino is the is the top got to work for two and you have become popular game that's as part of the.

Would you have preferred that being be less involved with the day to day or managerial decisions that you made when you were in Oakland can.

Well I think there's two ways to walking get that manager has joppy he's right the wind out the accept the rotation he has to be able to handle these players have done when somebody gets put on the bench for whatever reason this is the player comes in an ass manager and you know the managers going to be the one responsible for putting on the -- it and then panic -- player afterwards. When you're not working together on -- and that type of situation it -- really a top which US manager talked to to wage goes GM wants somebody else play. And you might want that person play if you're not to have. And I got a brief -- and then try to explain the wider outplay him makes for a difficult situation so another line be drawn in the responsibilities. But really it should be situation where he worked together in it's. Organizational philosophy and the first time when -- some extra medicine about Pedroia was struck a little bit. There were calls to help Alex -- play a lot more. And on and man organizations philosophy was that lets give this -- attempt to god they're perform. And even though it was struck a little bit that left the op there and -- I think the GM I'm a manager worked to have around at and it's played very well now so. But that situation jedi you're -- to work together with that and but he going to be Payton. And oh -- you do out. Line coupons where they're going to write a lineup but you have to discipline players have a let those players no wider and wider odd and and so there are some -- wind but he should be -- work you know also.

I. How much of what a manager does in the major league level is Xs and those verses. Win psychologists sociologists to what comes to mind was the dugout seen the NL had to deal with on Saturday and yet as old melt down on Sunday. With players fighting in and those kinds of things as much that take place behind the scenes that none of us ever hears about

well you know what I'm going to do. I think just general. -- that mattered current set out on it not they -- pitcher had in this match. And really your drops those that party or drop the -- Occurred because the even the fans not -- right now. Now entered a tie game -- Bob Knight that you that it might erupt the 8 IP eight batter get on we -- on that beat the power to bring him Mariano Rivera would want -- that's the easy part that really got. Being able handle these players when you have. Eight situation where he rendered the rest is is very difficult I look back at my third year and it's an Oakland. At the end of may we're 15 games under 500. And playing poorly I mean deep fences terrible base Miami all aspects of the game -- terrible and not your job. You'd have to keep your coach's focus they have to continue to work oh with a job. A plan that you've still got be beneficial for those players we were appliance from model in the Tampa -- that particular streak to. The pitching coach in the bullpen coach for prepare them as far as I would approach -- they double racism. They got on -- curt pitch and sit -- that that was about it since all this work well reporting in to this I hope it's start pay dividends because were not playing well right now I says you know what you've got to trust this process probably even as process. And keep go on this process works you've got to stay focus and keep that blocked that's when you lose a lot of games there -- a lot of frustration. And you as a manager you gonna try to keep that team together and keep things like. Like that from happening. -- you know keep these players upbeat I just look at. Amateur I'd give -- compliment because now you're about three notably Yankees you're on the -- of the -- you get ready to push off that. Is on the manager comes in play and I thought he did such great job of keeping the Red Sox focused and the use of but I keep Balkan. And Matt series and then on on the one World Series it was just -- managers so relate when the teams playing poorly. That's one yet job of the manager becomes -- You know it it comes very becomes very important at -- that go one or the other either they blow up or. Keep these guys focus and they and they they get better.

we've sought no fewer than six managers get. Thrown out of games this weekend manager meltdowns that Joe Torrey who rarely does to open knows medic career out of it. To the guy at double -- which I'm sure you -- moment -- now wondering I mean it's the first week in June is that a coincidence that six managers get thrown out or or or teams that are struggling at this point this season are pretty much at their tipping point the one you just -- that they can go either completely in the tank or you can somehow sparked my guess I'm asking you are are these manager at Jackson's. Plan or extemporaneous by the manager is a method the madness.

Are you LA I have bat talked -- six -- but you know what there's there's a lot of pressure on you -- Manager and there's a lot of things that come and play you can really if you step -- wrote everything that that bouton wrote everything that happens to every day you know pure opened outline. Read the papers and see your team is struck again and you. You you're frustrated because that's in that particular division you have a chance really two win that division. And played as poorly he had -- a lot of money -- and I read in the paper today and you've got a player comment beer and talked about how come on -- play at any garden Libya and acting ability. Am come -- these guys are terrible on the bases Bob Bob blah and and you have a situation where you are right you are replied yeah you can lose -- a lot of things that happened that that can map which over the heads -- to stop right about that that they before. There's a lot of frustration -- come and play there but my philosophy was always. Try to remain calm at all times okay because is stop them make good decisions. Now what you do out -- your brain and it is not be calm made it makes it even tougher make good decisions so -- please try to. May call all kinds and and I was opened that -- players were reflect the state bank because it's it's up to play angry use. You've got to be under control I was I have Trot Nixon for four readers and even got -- will always fired up at a site tribal. -- up play this game again control your out of control you're not going to be able to do it. So in -- there's a lot of pressure on these managers the teams that we beat the Yankees. The White Sox and cubs those street teams there -- other ways they all have high expectations struck -- right now for the second -- all over.

I can't if you are a statistically a great baseball team you win six out of ten games and we look at the Red Sox over the years 77 they were 6278672004 the year they won the World Series 65 winning percentage. No I know early 13 of the way through this season but the rock -- at a gaudy 67 -- 3% no one expects them to continue that but as USS this team court this beat. The greatest statistical Red Sox team since 1960 given what you've seen in the field.

Well they certainly have a lot a lot of pieces in place got one of the things that -- have bought happened with the exception back it beit opt for -- problems -- it is a major injury particularly in the pitching area. Meters and five pretty good starters out there today you know things worked out Bert well really can't we have them. Manny just yet. So he he become rabbit and provide a lot of offense I think things run in cycles is I don't -- preach that -- for a whole year. But he he certainly have a great year. Well a lot of things have come -- in place today you're going to have some downtime during the season but with their pitching staff are all starter out there date Okajima. Being what he has been unbelievable and setup guided them and then. -- pitched two innings and chip people course a gain in the game one papelbon -- rest but the pieces are placed of being able to beat that. Just work through eight down time which are going to have. As the season goes on and try to minimize that downtime will be deciding factor amid tight you get a quality Yankees series I know there's a lot of he motion in those series day and then you get on the plane. And they wrote all the way across the country. Who knows what I'm. They got and faced an apparent -- pitched very well further for the gate and then they've got their number five we have reverse number five starter -- I have been a tough game for the might. -- be a tough series 'cause. Welcome NATO's very good pitching hand that a bit --

Can come -- it's that your opinion on two separate plays A-Rod mine mine mine play in Toronto Wednesday night and Michael walls shoulder. In the Robertson can know this weekend at Fenway Park

well I'll also Michael play good it has spent ML baseline. But like that's going to happen. Okay might -- players petticoat dominant and cup wait for the second baseman you know cut its wake up. And break up the play but the good hard baseball plant -- I don't I don't know how hard shoulder what -- threw him an eight. You know look like to play the -- have. Brick up the double play. Not a problem that I'll. The other side of that I can't condone that a ball what they rod come around and mine and that particular play. There's there's just some think that you don't -- I am going to say that's want. Archer after all the bad publicity that's been this Balco he's he's probably yes little remorse with the fact that he did that so.

Can you infielder for 14 years didn't no one ever scream mine mine mine when you were settling --

and below perhaps I you know what I a there's a guy named Maxwell Veres two I'd play with a moderately eat. He would management AAA and there was a -- popular over there he told you -- the play but the result of Latin third baseman ran over to get on the ball connected. And -- yelled that the Indian media and match. In Spanish and the guys bobbled the ball drop and so I've heard that happened but I don't condone that at all I -- I was I would been very upset of -- on the other side of the -- proper.

Yet but yet it's okay for a shortstop or second baseman to Deke a runner into thinking the ball had gone over his head throw from the catcher. And maybe have -- go you know round the back widely in tag him out or the hidden ball trick between the pitcher in the first baseman the amateur with a line of.

Okay I thought that I can draw that line Gloria okay I'll do that for you because. If you slide in the second base your responsibility -- the pick up the ball okay a lot of kind that hit ball -- is that it is hidden ball trick it. He has played on on somebody's got to run on first over the ball gets from the second baseman the first pick the ball walker -- locked up the second. Your job as a base runner is picked up for the baseball okay Boettcher drop there's like in the second base you've got to be alert readers -- to approach. Or or your. Pick up applauding outfield gaps Murat arming hit rock and -- and the ball yet. You gotta pick up the coach you don't see the ball that's your responsibility your responsibility is a two -- that based on current seat and yell on line okay two parts built in either side of that -- Either you're good base runner you you'd do the picture supposed to be done and you commit yourself to be be. Oh or Europe you Iraq at that's where -- want to.

Can in terms of -- good managers and pat burns the -- course of the Bruins once and they look at let's face it good players make good coaches in sports or -- managers that being said an understood. In your view gives you the name of two or three managers that you respect in baseball and your reasons why.

I get a lot a lot of people ask the who was pinpoint control as far as you know of the drop that I eight. Out of it what Dick Williams -- a lot of players did not like complaints worried it was tremendous as far as that -- in which he did what he let you know as a player what was important -- and the fundamentals were important. If you get on the bases properly didn't keep the double play in order you threw the ball over the cut off man or people couldn't get the bond -- those were things have worked very important he was very harsh injuries criticism of view if you and in big Apple that the way you'd have to do not what the players today but he really had a -- Impact on B as far as looking at the -- medals and knowing what what's important as far as when it was dates back -- pick up the paper did they have in Pittsburg and a in the headlights they Tracy have no answer for wonders on the bases you know they're base running gutenberg good here right now okay Dick what do handle that that was so that had a huge Jim. Act on me as far as a player is concerned but I also can look at it from a management standpoint. And see what type of impact that that have you know over the course -- you start if your outs away by you know make you wonder. On the bases you find that petite. A lot of squirt -- So Dick Williams was tremendous as far as that was concerned yeah I got the highest regard for. -- higher up there in Minnesota. They bring a lot of players those guys whoever it is they're -- of the tremendous drop off sure others. A continuation of the base running Jerry whites or first base coach who played for Dick Williams also on the same teams that I was up there Montreal whip -- 70. I'm an 80s so he knows important bridge also notes aren't sure Gerry -- the very top and the want to -- part of the great job and the young players come up. And BP being able to drop doctor -- them completely and help them grow as players so the guy that have to bring players up and continue to teach and then go out -- played in the right way have a lot of respect.

I can't block a final question for me at two part question what you think of double a manager Philip well one's meltdown and part two if you're John schuerholz the general manager of the big club braves. How do you deal with this -- what do you do

well I thought it was a little over blown okay c'mon let's let's get little perspective here your minor league manager your job is really to develop players. And to have them become great. Players in the major leagues as -- talked about but fundamentally sound a fundamentally sound you know players. Winning and losing -- games in the minor leagues is one thanks everybody like them but when we need. If you lose the game because that would go on with the -- they're trying to get the big league also so I think there has been refocus there trolls. Have apartments kind -- your job is this okay Indies players predator in when they get major -- there was braves they're going to be productive players. You know up to put show on on the field for the -- or. So for the BB little umpire strike made it so a total.

Final question for mechanic if you took the Yankee club personnel wise you've seen this year maybe removed the the pinstripes I don't know if that's possible here just assess the talent. Because parent -- Red Sox fans still believe the Yankees will be read on them for the division before the season is out despite the fact Boston's 12 and a half games. As you see the shaky club right now can't challenge the Red Sox for the division ten day make a wildcard entry into the playoffs this year given the personally know --

Well I'd say what I look at the year that the Seattle errors 160 games a pack. Whatever their we're opening presented what we were in Oakland art was our manager than the bench coach we were so far behind that it was. We had a chance of catching okay. And I think the Yankees right now that they got a look at a center might just treat every game as an. You've got to start winning games and not worry about what -- don't want. And try to catch you you've got to get yourself in position talent wise up -- have a great year Jeter's had a great year the -- is I think starting to get a little better they've -- good work other bullpen last night that repair command. At two strikeouts he's pitched poorly. In April may so perhaps he's come. They gotta they -- very talented team Johnny Damon all Red Sox fans out with he has. Alex Rodriguez the MVP type guy -- Robinson. He's going to be great players someplace so they've got very -- lineup they get the picture together. On victims that Clemens might be it would give them five or six innings the start of quality of whether they're -- they're going to get back into the thing vehicle -- part but I don't think they can focus on the Red Sox that they did they have to distract post hands -- title for. You know 95 went one season so Ernie in the Red Sox Wednesday it under three and it was by eight games of -- but it went wild card.

Get -- we appreciate the time this morning -- talkin' baseball with you we should point out that the guest on the Dennis and Callahan program again gift cards from golfers -- that kind of put on hold here whitacre address and since open up Cuba we appreciate the time this morning all the baseball info.

I played golf this weekend so I'd definitely -- certificates yeah resupply the -- water -- looked into that aren't you gotta have a good today yeah -- with -- and Lamar alongside