Ken Macha

Mustard and Johnson -- board Dennis and Callahan. Red Sox as you know dropped their second straight to the angels out in Anaheim last night and four. Over now but is it over and out for the Red Sox as far as. There American league east chances are concerned it seemed like almost an inevitability every game. Coronation for AL east title the first in 12 years since 1995 with the Yankees winning again last night at Toronto. Major shrinkage going on in the AL east Lee is down to five here to discuss that. Is a former paw Sox manager former -- manager now working for NASA -- few of the broadcast and -- morning camp right in. Here are you well there's a little panic in our Red Sox nation these days -- believed which was that one time 14 is down to five then why is this all happened he attacked.

But you don't want when I was up our first broadcasts in -- we've had strong December I'll. Everybody was panicked demand Edgar again at. Early you have -- some blows -- season not. The Yankees are normal they have to do a after the all star break in the all part of their schedule I believe the last point four games they've played point against teams that are under 500 and they've capitalized on Matt. So no luck question about it they're playing better they're swinging the bats better their starting pitching. As kind of solidified. So but you know what he can't worry not -- yet the Yankees don't worry about itself right now all of them back the last couple weeks. Start kitchen has kinda grumbled a little bit -- god and their had a good start did have a good start. Now -- last night they got knocked around actually one out of his up first RD gave up or run so. In six innings so. You want to get that starting pitching bad blow it again Michael wasn't earlier in the year so many that would be amazed market started it on again.

And that's one of the reasons why even -- we used down to 500 as a lot of concern as well there should be I still think the starting pitching is good enough and certainly the bullpen has been. Strong enough all year. That even though the Yankees are going against the Ron against bad teams I think the red the -- group will be able to withstand this. And somehow or another figure a way to stave them off do you do you look at this thing as a race in the last 48 games are.

Well yeah it. Not go away -- These are gone away him ayello are things that going to be on the red -- coming up then our next 12 game I don't homer against teams that have all five -- records they're going to come all our comeback the Baltimore prime Baltimore there aren't a 500 than -- Tampa. And it and the angels at all and the angels but I really have a great record at all -- they're kind of 500 on the roads but he don't -- a chance there to make some prominent may have. Up against. In the next 12 games so they have to what the Yankees have done them playing against the opposition that it below 500 though we'll see what happens the next 12 games.

Ken do you manage a team differently when you have a fine five game lead. Rather than a ten game lead.

Well last year when I was an Oakland -- we came in the September with a fixed game -- but last four games were replaying of the season was Jim -- I'm against the angels. And vehicles have a tremendous but audio home record but -- got a very good pitching staff. And the I wanted to try to get that idle -- away before we went back there and not make those games inconsequential. I looked at that way I looked at going out on the old every day as you know -- ourselves or try to when it's game and and all major league managers do that but the importance of every game to pamper him a pennant race. Is such that they -- you really wanna do everything and the when I was.

But does it magnify decisions that together make for instance sending Iran are moving a runner along or maybe trying to trying to hunch here in the year. That you can get away with maybe with a ten game lead whip with a five game lead at the decisions become magnified don't think.

Well they do if you let up. Do that I think -- probably prepares himself as good as anybody and manager make that decision are dated eight basis. Based on you know availability the ball and not started -- and though I'm not -- loot need to rest and they like that you know once we clinched before we went we -- stop the Seattle last year -- that you know you could rest some guys or more and things like that but. I think what Kerry's gonna do it put the best team available out there every day make that decision on them available on the ball then. And try to keep that ball and crashed. And get close -- out there every night and it got real lamotte they're out of -- pan am not. You know one of many he can't really the thing is the object brilliant they get in the playoffs and I know Red Sox and the -- the vision -- while. And that certainly would be southern but wants the idea -- starts in the playoffs he watch team to be ready then to it becomes the difference -- main. The depth that your team on the starting pitching you'd probably go three starter so he got chilling him. In its first part idiotic and it scratched out little bit but he just come on back but that's killing -- Matsuzaka and Beckett on up there you know I had seen them for -- going to have to. Beat those guys three times out of forced -- to belt out.

You know I'm I'm thinking about in talking about playoffs and you participated in two playoffs we have Oakland including last year finally. -- getting that monkey off the organization's back in winning a playoff series going in the AL CS against the tigers we are remember what happen against the Red Sox and to clear that Saturday night extra inning game that did work out for you guys have a couple base running issue is as you well remember. But we're thinking about Terry Francona today and what happens inevitably canned a tree had to face this a lot when you're in the same division where you're playing Mike's OSHA social seems to be a manager at the hands believe is like the best manager in baseball because he's squeeze plays and he's aggressive and he he's he's kind of one of these hands on managers at the hands. Warmup -- did you have that problem -- the perception that -- this genius in the dugout how -- ever going to match him and his chest in that we have to play 19 times a year.

Well you know what Mike's got couple archery that there ain't -- prepared to step they have about the -- that league let's hear it bull -- Be your World Series let me take a look at their bullpen so -- Parcells are closer frank Rodriguez of course setup guys -- joke about there and -- bodily who was that the problem is. That year I mean that really shortened. -- regain -- there put them but he's aggressive. Managers so the players but he does they don't have speed they have ability to run they have ability to -- they have ability of Juan. So you manage your players and that's were really which try to do I managed in Oakland we didn't have many Robert but it still -- or I bought one -- got to make it all you know you're upset so. Maybe that doesn't. And interior to the fans of the fans want to see more bombing and hit and run -- action and things like that but have a manager what you need to -- is. Have your players in what they do best in the end when negate some. So the record that we have against the angels was whether go to. And not in the won the division I'm four that I didn't manager might get a lot of positive things for that that certainly want.

always go three mile and Barry Bonds home run left the yard last night. Do you think it's just purely a tainted record.

Well IE a lot that I had more harm than anybody. They've got a lot of controversy out there are going to sort through all that it and figure out -- and everybody can make their judgment afterwards but. I know being in the Bay Area eight years and -- those majors very was certainly the best home run they're the most feared hitter in the -- Major league than not. -- 90 dead and the manager on the other dog got. He really put a lot of pressure on -- pitcher going up there are just getting him hot but the the players in -- problem because. You don't want any employer on base because you want to have that option Marty you'd go at walk commitment if not serie -- match amazing out walked 200 times hit 40 home runs one need to get -- that just have made the.

Can I still don't understand and I can hear from you Vick and Drew Jones spoke about it -- a big difference everybody's doing it like that Marlys baseball purest and guys who have been involved in the game for a long time. Don't seem to be as upset about it is that your feeling.

Well I am. Peter again I I don't know 100% from my going to condemn any. Anybody in Dorado 11 and -- I don't I don't 100% what exactly went on or what happened murdering like that. Also -- going to be a guided thought there and say and I didn't do that because a bit. Did this XY and the I don't know whether he did it slightly so I will tell. Well normally around income level watched EM grow old the outlet history will judge -- after all the facts are out.

Where do the Red Sox go from here can we talked about 48 games left five game lead of course I just a couple days ago was seven. A month ago was ten couple months ago was. 14 what is the prescription your managing this team -- charges ballclub right now how do you approach the final 48 of the season.

Well Erick -- going to have I think there's peace series with the Yankees they got I didn't it'll today -- I predictors. Which they did -- it is what those games. And beat up on teams that are all 500 normally at this time of the year in what state Texas for example I'm not out the report like. It probably don't they've they've made some deal they trade away some of their better players. You know on a little short right now and now when -- plant most teams that are on outrage and try to. And traded their players away or you have a contender should have a little little edgy emotionally on the the other teams that are outrage when people out there so you've got a spot almost seems. And medalist at that next 12 games coming up. I Alomar against six against Tampa aren't pretty get all above below 500 you've got to. You're gonna happen I am 67 nine games. That's with the Yankees -- and then you're going to have a cup series when you play the Yankees and he played the angels and you need to put that game.

Are you a believer in team meetings are rallying points it seems like we've been watching this team for 61 games in -- 32 and 29 we used the word Malays earlier it's. It's just going through the motions now if if if Terry Francona judges that to be true -- maybe from your. Instances you can talk about this if your team was quote lackadaisical -- rally amend the demur when what for the -- speech so to speak

market won't do that but. I'm sure that there's about professionals -- met audience that there's about -- pretzels -- that I got there there're they're going to go about their business that way I don't like the top Malays when -- big in the box you. You're you have that eternal well you're rated though you -- the play -- and have a good at bat when he gave up on -- just you're ready to be the same thing now. Ability being used become another top of -- time and dropped network problem and that. Committee that that's caught up the other players -- professional as a man you know I don't like that a ball.

How he putted great when you say -- the coming years that weren't in my contacts that he used.

Well what -- world golf tour streak like that say we would they have arms stand on. Now maybe camp stadium and Apple -- on that decorum Stan you know you would maybe you were very and create -- you know at this it should do better than problem as well they ship well you know the other -- up. Professionals to -- sitting about not. And watching -- players give me -- percent and then. And propel themselves properly in the collier -- going to go -- going to go in and play the Yankees in Yankee stadium. And beat them three games on occasion okay that's going to happen -- that professional baseball sometimes you're going to. Have a Kansas City Royals come your stadium and and her relatives to for any control -- the effort they put out government -- you're satisfied with the effort that these guys appliance playing wet and preparation that they're given event you know others they're not all logic to -- as sports and Pete meeting in the speech tune everybody out knowing that everybody that they're giving a 100%.

The irony of it is valve that wasn't that Billy beane said I can only get to the playoffs I can't control what my team does. After that I mean his job he always said my job is done I've I've won a championship in the division I can't control anything after that and on the -- at some issues out.

Well all I don't just stand that -- the player go out and win and lose the game okay but players do that though. Where where -- series we have regrets -- that he brought up earlier. There will regret on my part that we we had a couple grew up on lap that was series but really the Red Sox played very well up the main bound to not -- They got a great pitching effort in game three when -- one run that took the other day Nixon hits a home run in the bottom of the inning and then David. Piece about next they have a great at bat against keep all hundred and it's about all and I -- Manny at the three run homer. And -- Had very limited success against Lieber Zito now up to that point any at the three run homer off -- man Derek Lowe makes couple that that is. I with a tremendous series. Paris no it did not -- the players what the exception of maybe Barmes got to home plate yeah and what the hot up but he couldn't. The furcal players they're they let they laid -- follow a lot of mail on the most exciting series I'd ever been around and Major League Baseball point one years.

Who knows what would have happened however if Byrnes had such home plate -- limping around in front of the backstop -- hot it just follow through it is Ron home. The whole thing might it change you have very successful for years in spite of that. You know who knows what happened 2003. -- last.

from you mention three names just then you mention Manny you mentioned Ortiz and you mentioned Trot Nixon Trot Nixon has been replaced by J. D. Drew. Is his lack of power production affecting Manny and Ortiz.

Well I'm not sure but David because even if you look around back -- to me -- want to most feared hitters in the game. I think the times that I've been up are doing games going to game that I have watched pictures are going to be careful what part that Manny beat. And until through steps up by now areas moved -- around them Leah batting order are all Barnes but. The idea on getting through it could get many some protection and I also want to let and -- right at a it energy go left right left right left right so. Well all that being said it would be nice to have whatever year that was more typical that he did and Sammy probably would not -- yet but. You know what they're block lot of games left many get some argue he carried the team for months AIC Ortiz has been swung the bat beat them lately you know at this but it's coordinate and it like -- beginning of the show I would be more concerned about starting pitcher in at this particular point in time I would the --

Is that how that affects. Is that hotter toothpicks like departed affects --

Well you know chilling out Apple wants start -- error probably in -- this spring training. Whatever on how many -- yet total on the part -- Agnelli had a view Wakefield as a guy that's going to that you good game and then go out there and you know opted just such a good game now like yesterday so but that back did not Matsuzaka they had -- been pretty solid then not to get does Schilling back. Out sprawl like he camp after he starts you know I think that's going to cop.

One of the problems if you if you want to look at the trade deadline for the Red Sox was allow people very happy to see the addition of Eric Gagne which is only solidifying a strike many people were disappointed. The Red -- could not swing a deal -- what are your former players Jermaine Dye would die have been the kind of player the Red Sox really need down the stretch.

Well it would have. Get commentary more options. And probably somebody on the team upset that welcome play and that might because that the -- all the -- what -- not probably it because I'm sure Jermaine. As other the other got an Apple -- want to play every day Chris Miami's going to be an Arab League day you gotta BH already had you know wood threw out there are so you know you gotta top of the -- one ability. I think that Jermaine won a -- was like give me a little more about him but that it pitcher if there's any weakness against left handers and outside that -- it up what ever. Com now what it will more hot chicks say that they've signed up Bobby -- do you bump up my -- and it was a and then it's got a tremendous history of sitting -- and the pitchers. I pray that what you look forward to the playoffs and perhaps they beat Detroit yet if our Cleveland get some of those PP. And interface and -- my you're going to basis C. C. Sabathia Eric Kenny Rogers or Roberts and the horror -- we might like that. And now I'm sure the other managers know that the Red Sox a little weaker against left handers are from up there so. Perhaps Bobby guilty get out of -- played for couple free weights get get in the good shape but not be able to help the club.

Good stuff -- we'll be looking forward to your return on NASA and down the line enough thanks for the time today. Thanks Ken Ken -- a former manager the pos socks and the -- amazed