Terry Francona, Sox Mgr

Every Wednesday at this time we talked with a manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona joins us on the line from. Hot Atlanta, Georgia hate -- night. Good morning guys durable. Good good afternoon whatever to. You don't even know what I don't that's not my somebody's a stumbling out of bed her. No doubt would be true actually at the ballpark for a couple hours. So out of it doesn't surprise me they act Curt Schilling was on the station this morning had I think reasonably good news concerning the MRI and the results in all -- I don't know to be able to pitch for you on Sunday but all things considered it sounded fairly positive.

You know I think that's a pretty good way to put it away actually just talked shall political John -- medical staff can't deal which is. Not easy border duel last night because -- like the game in. Rain and things like that -- we do it is -- and I think Nomar came back which was really good news conduct -- applicable off for a couple days -- go back and be examined again biked home Friday before joining us out of San Diego. Now what happens after that all important to look at the pedal on obviously is the re examination of Friday. But I will play this up front ordinarily like -- And this guy is one of the better pitchers you know again he can be want builders of baseball. And it's not easy or not fun to be a possible time. But we are going to make sure he's okay and has a chance to be consistent.

What TO who do you think is going to take -- start.

Although I did your development trip but we're not we're not there workable don't you how we feel about this Rio. We don't know -- we we with the off -- common -- just get a little out of.

At that won't be the first time you right what are how do you determine if a guy. Needs to be checked out for something that could be wrong with him physically or. It is just one of those nights where it the fastballs that is not move in the way what do the letters that there every day it seemed to be a fine line between. Just having a bad start and being hurt how do you make that determination.

Well you know what there's there's probably so much more communication. Then obviously we can never tell you guys -- you guys know were understandably what these guys almost point four -- And we have medical staff pitching coach of the communication is is there and we don't these guys we built a body language and so again you know they're not there -- times excuse me. Where we felt resistance it was time to goal to get checked because it was obvious drop off in the velocity that look like himself and it's been like that sometimes this year it'll what you'll have a real good outing it would be hard for the fall adopt the spokesman consistency or which we we know. Kids just scratched guys all the time that this should guys are which starts. So you try to keep but convict all the time. And then in this instance we felt it was proper -- backing to --

Terry sense his remarkable outing in Oakland the one hitter he's had a couple of sub par starts. How much did that game in Oakland take out of.

What the guts come up alluded to -- up a few times this year it'll what is really Woody's gonna pull pretty well he's not really folded up with with what you look at four. And -- is we know can brutal hole and again it is sometimes you have to take a step back. Pick a little while that to -- now again Woolsey what happened -- would feel like -- doubt that they'll be reevaluated till Friday and -- we want to make sure don't get the best chance possible -- every five or six they can be a good pitcher.

Is this an example of what you've talked to us in the past about concerning intensity and how hard the pitches are his pitch count in Oakland was only around a hundred. It wasn't out of line at all but was the intensity of the performance -- deciding factor for him do you think.

I would say -- intense all the time every pitcher is trying to figure purport to like to talk about that but. No I mean I actually thought that was such an element economical rotting in the you know get a little one nothing game but he wasn't in a lot of trouble. I used to when it was person or Philadelphia or what first came to Austin. Always watched ratings -- he had to reach back for more because -- ability to do it. I thought that -- about and I always try to keep -- that but that was just -- On -- finally pushed it get a spot uses split she got outs what do all the bombings.

let's look move onto the lineup now you've had a reconfigured lineup you know J. D. Drew at the top last night you had Alix Korey and Julio Lugo was not in the last do you anticipate a Lugo being in the air tonight.

We are on a talked to -- even like before and just pulled up it'll kind of set him on the couch and to -- to your -- to puffed on which we all realized. And it got a good -- putt and who had been real tough on Lugo to kill it sometimes a manager it's my responsibility if you like to. You know played public -- portrait good player court does a good job what we play them and look we understood W throughout British they have -- say that. You know a pop out almost six weeks ago old want to Pedroia don't play yet. And you know we can keep its probably not the right thing to do same thing will go down because this -- is a good player he's had a real tough stretch. And it's my responsibility to not do something impatient or. Or two -- is that that doesn't make sense we we got to get get spent more time get him go one they're getting out of there.

We were talking about this earlier before you came on obviously in the first hour of the show we'll we'll speak in general terms won't talk about Lugo specifically but. In the case of a in the big acquisition by the Red Sox someone making 89 million dollars a year. Do you feel like if something happened if you had to make a switch or make a move work bench stepped player. Could would you have the authority to do -- without someone in management coming in saying wait a minute we're paying this guy nine million dollars a year you can't have a on the bench.

We know what they're -- to conversation so far Geneva that bit hard they have certain I mean our communication. -- educational field and in -- everybody else. It is as perhaps better it'll open it to the point where that's not a conversation of having children at those -- happen -- we communicate too well that puts the way you baskets probably not even easier for redemption mean again. My job is to make up the line up. We don't have those problems we'd -- pair of and I actually think in a place like Boston where. You know what the backup catcher gets a day off it's a big story I think our communication our relationship has been unbelievable because. To get through Boston. It is is not an easy place I'm actually I I get some post pretty proud. Of of how we do things and we you know we go through downtime -- talks -- regular courses that I have to you know again like a little impatient which I'm the total sorry that we now -- good. Good reworking and repeal author of him. There's a lot of respect from my from my side of it so do we agree on every single pool probably not going to be craziness. Put two -- agreed to good thing.

Shields said this morning that watching the game last night he thought that Josh Beckett. Did not have lights out electric stuff. -- still shut out the Atlanta Braves is that how good this guy he has that that he can be good not spectacular and still -- shot.

Yelled don't Perelman would halt what we're going to walk plus it was say in the same exact thing to buckle laws that would bring the original what -- not as good as -- abandoned. But -- he can break over not people who would not change ups where billick tipped him off the fastball and shut again. I thought he was maybe I think she'll it was actually say would -- throws that put from washed up what he was good.

You got lost who's behind the -- no -- Screwed up 200 is that I know oracle and it you wind up.

Now he's actually brought on -- I had no I -- actually assault pliable Burlington. You know --

asked a question about Coco Crisp. Forget about -- at the plate right now in the field this year he's made some spectacular catch it. Yeah on the spectacular catches you think he's playing center field the likes of which you haven't seen him play in Boston.

I think the likes that we haven't seen anybody boy I mean he's he's always had the ability to make highlight reel catches. But he's playing at every pitch out there -- what you look up he's moving. Explain -- competence but catch last fight he was in the air for a long way these told all the time he's turning some other place it will be because -- defeat in the rather routine catches this kid's. -- excused because Tuesday. Game changer center field. And it's impressive and it's appreciated until he's turning Jason gave display out there.

A week or so ago we quoted Jonathan Papelbon said he thinks you concede the future and and and he was -- your ability to kind of foresee what's going to happen. Your your patience in. In a couple of cases Dustin Pedroia maybe JD Drew may be. -- Coco Crisp now has been borne out do you feel that that sort of thing is on the horizon for your shortstop and I -- we talked about Julio but are you getting a sense that he's ready to break out of this thing.

Well I I don't -- like actually -- back -- again again in disguise to have a tough time I think we all -- he's he gets frustrated. It always tried so hard do too much but I just think you just sit back and look at it you don't always just plagued. I lineup for tonight if we would never -- I mean this guy an interval we signed him there was no. Anymore try to be so this guy is our shortstop and again rather then. Me yes they have been in the old didn't bother we need to try to figure out how to get him goal in. And that's going to be by playing him not give there's did well explains that's my job to do that. What we need to get this guy go because when he gets going just it -- the speed this 17 out of 17 sole basis. He'll go right time to rule two whatever hitter not to a war. Get that guy back and we need to work instead of trying to do rid of that particular -- on.

You don't wonder what category you put Lugo in in terms of a guy struggling sometimes. You want to give those guys more information overload them but you want to show them some video and sometimes you want to leave these guys alone where does he

what do we do all that it didn't work here every date with the guys and that's a good point I think put Magnus in -- were trying to get one thing first. And that was to do a little more upright and it'll battle book if you put innocence is his head moving. And then the batting it is kind of lagging -- all lot of hitters because again because they care they're listened to everybody it's human nature I attitude about what the result might do it. If you want to get so bad. But try this somewhat simplified it so you can get to a certain point and then maybe once you get the feel that he could start talking about those things.

You probably can't say this about the weekend's series but I'm only a stupid talk show host I can say that the strike zone seemed a little weird at times over the weekend that having been said. You'll also can't afford to have David Ortiz -- in a position where he gets himself thrown out in the first inning of game.

Not David knows that but you don't want beer he he gets frustrated. And and part of that all of us because we hammer him about what are strikes. If you believe the strike -- is not the same hitter and then he's you know again he's our DH was not on the field it goes back he watches every pitch he prides himself on sort of strikes. And every -- small. -- only gets frustrated now the other night. You know he was frustrated B job with -- parliament he's got back illegal club back the dugout people felt about him. I was -- nine times and they they qualified about a book report -- discuss it broke out. -- they even understand the responsibility at the same time it's amazing. -- we try to predict try hard to stay off the umpires but what you do bring it to their attention. Yeah guilt from time to bring to strike -- back in the post and got a proposal only want -- all time but sometimes it doesn't hurt.

David had an interesting quote in the paper today said he talked -- bonds over the weekend here. And bonds said you get above 50 home runs you'll see strikes anymore and maybe Ortiz sissy and some of that this year.

All right the last all -- they would be able to come back forward popular -- optional district cop killer not well we strike such a baby did you ever see yourself yet. So I would throw strikes either of me you know this. But that's part of it I mean that's part he just hit himself into that lead part of baseball. And people are very -- good -- they're all careful because what you can do with a baseball and that's part of why mainly becomes so important that you post. Because again we walked bonds and got away with a hopefully they want what they would they don't get away.

You know you've seen the baseball circus at its highest level with the Red Sox Yankees but you just mentioned bonds and dale did too was there anything about that Barry Bonds trip to Fenway that that out fewer than that you found interesting.

You know -- yeah we're so used to who would you -- the circus or wherever that every date for Brussels for being mean the media is so much in the his -- I thought there was a lot of electricity in the ballpark which I mean I don't normally there's a total lecture. Well other than that it -- date didn't wasn't really affected any differently. But the fact we really want to win -- but I but they have a pretty interested but other that really wasn't different.

And I stepped back to last night for a second the rain delay as soon as the rain came did you make that decision. That Josh Beckett was come -- or was that a matter of how long that rain delay was.

Well he was an 88 pitches we we didn't committed there waiting to elevate think once we get up -- I think we do in our mind. There was very little chance to go back out and what they pull -- partner pretty much -- committed to a bottom out about four -- five minutes. And then we went grab him pretty quick just so he acted towards motor -- could blow up garage and there was stuff.

It Terry we talked to a week ago about. The manager former manager of Daisuke being in town and you guys actually having him in the bullpen in utilizing his his skills and abilities and and assessments. And and I go to die IC Daisuke go out and looked great over the weekend any connection there

possibly I hope I hope -- I think I think just haven't they comfort -- the troubles replica or Wakefield portable but it can't -- ought to be -- out there can only mean. This guy everywhere he has. You know it's not always the most relaxing atmosphere because he's trying to speak the language which you imagine. You know you're in Tokyo and -- actually had -- spoke English. To build this place some to have W very severe mechanical and your mannerisms I'm sure it was very relaxing and very reassuring. And I hope it did help I got to meet the -- get cynical about it was a joke but then obviously we did have a long conversation because. -- there's not much they're like -- And he's a little bit limited in his English but he was very very you know sometimes smuggled a long way and we are very happy --

You said -- goal will be back in there tonight any other things with the lineup that we should be added to institute.

No I think we'll go right where we are and again we've we've we have to Veres shouldn't -- you never know quite put it to give up a lot of cargo liner to right.

one for one this season. Those little batting eighth and I just -- Any word on whether you used Josh Beckett as a pinch hitter at some point the future.

No deal was under -- that oral commitment and going to be -- And need to do in order up -- up -- but they want those it is amazing. When you -- look back at how good of athletes these guys actually are on the Tim Hudson. It's for them all the time but I going to be regional burden but the moral or he could do. But when you have got to try to hit lately pitcher after a four year I don't know how to do it and did you decide if they're phenomenal athletes.

That you that you set it you know mentioned Tim Hudson you sum up close and you're out here in Oakland. He's old -- I think he's -- and six against the Red Sox in his last six starts what is it about a bit that allowed the Red Sox have so much success.

Well we've got a really good job against him I think so the could have a good pitcher he's a great pitcher. We we have made him throw strikes if you allow him to expand that -- down. You you don't have much of -- And we made him throw strikes we worked Jim would not lost a patient because -- political. Opened -- so quick to play to our game we've done a really good job of making -- bring the ball up. Because bodies would do.

Now the pressure's on these other pitchers you got three pitchers with pets now.

Yeah well they give if that's what it takes stolen it probably reachable -- they do they give us.

Schilling called back it's a wind blown double last night that the wind help.

No no village children that I actually but it just aren't Pedroia these so -- open about pitchers have -- to watch just. It is essential to a pro Hitler and you look -- have seen it I should he can he knows what he's brought up diversity Michael still based. But he can get a yet he. He what what he can get the bunt down he wanted to shoot himself. Then again there's not a whole lot of repetition but but schalken to those types of things did it amazes me the way these guys can do that -- about him.

Have a good rest of the triple -- you next week I don't care I don't -- Terry Francona. Manager of the Boston Red Sox joining us from his office in Atlanta