" Welcome back Dennis and Callahan final day of spring training in Fort Myers for a what would spring training be. But a visit from Mara from the wondering baseball -- number -- from Sports Illustrated first questions on what what brings you to the Red Sox get real stories yeah are a parallel position -- sad every spot the rotation is set the closer set the set up guys set the order is set there's nothing going on your brother."
" I can't believe how boring -- Sammy is just the Red Sox and the Yankees the Indians. The Red Sox. Those three team it really didn't add a player of any significance the whole winter I can't remember a spring training like this where the best teams basically stood pat but you know what they they still are world champions it to -- it still attain a B. And you know looking at this team on paper I gotta say I mean the Yankees are still right there with them I don't see any separation."
" The Las Vegas oddsmakers agree with -- they set the over under on Red Sox wins -- 94 and -- the over under on Yankee wins is 93 and a half is that about right remind them. At some power I might be even foot."
" Flopped down a little bit you know I really thought the Schilling injury hurt the Red Sox -- not the same and I expect Schilling to be any kind of a dominant pitcher but you know you've got with him. And in a thing now they've got it they'd have to get something out of either colon. Or someone they really don't know yet about -- come -- make 1215 starts for them and pitched good baseball now again that's another -- always like Buchholz Lester. Or some combination -- I think you're already counting on them and I think the problem with buckles as he's not going to throw 200 innings it's sort of the job -- Chamberlain probably Yankees having -- so anybody who sits here today and say -- we get this guy for a full season now but calls is going to make 32 starts and throw 200 innings. They're getting themselves because I'm Italian it's not going to happen. Could go wrong here we already know Schilling's predicament. Everything else seems to be -- and set and seems to be as good or better than it was last year. The only thing could go -- to made the Yankees have the same problem is age on some of the position players. Not that they're going to fall off the cliff and the awful what they begin to have -- and do their decline phase the production from lol Manny. -- Ortiz Ortiz so lesser extent hang on because he's DH don't worry so much about him but. Has -- those guys in the mid thirties out there an everyday basis and again the Yankees had a with Dana Matsui Giambi and Jeter and those guys. In LA it's hard to count all those guys coming back and had a big seasons and it's going to begin to drop off at some point you just hope it doesn't happen at the same time."
" Two part question -- you're the manager of the Boston Red Sox team. What do you do with Ellsberg versus crisp in center field and you're the general manager this baseball team what do you do with Coco Crisp if indeed he's not a starting center fielder."
" Wallace -- Coco said if he's not the starting center fielder he wants to be traded all well and good but that's not going to make me trade him and if I'm the manager I am playing -- very until he shows me that he can handle. I and I think last year we saw in the post season he should be able handle it. And I'd hate to think that he could start a season thinking that you know what it -- If I don't hit. I'd lose my job. And we saw the the kind of confidence that Francona had Pedroia last year stuck with a man you know and logo as well -- in terms of Pedroia especially be any young player trying to establish himself we can hit under 200 for a month. And still -- your job. And I think that speaks to frank -- very well. But I also think that the show the same -- Ellsberg if you make that determination he's your best center fielder and I think he has. Don't let the first month of the season change that for you stick with the guy and let him know that hey it's okay if you go one for 21 you still my guy. Were you surprised that Sean Casey called these guys and said I want to come here I don't care about my role is willing to accept all come off the bench he's 33 years old he can still hit. It is still hit there's probably a job in some money out there for him but knowing Sean Casey -- not surprised. I anybody -- tie he's -- the all time good guys in baseball. The Red Sox should be happy to have him in -- clubhouse he's a guy -- listen you don't want anybody in the best to be happy -- they're not playing but he gets he understands his role. And I think he's the kind of guy with his swing he can be productive. In short periods of time that's hard for veteran players to do are used to playing every day that he skeptic tennis stroke. That ten play once or twice a week and I -- pitching late in the game you can have him late in the game against somebody's closer and he'll give you a good -- why would the Yankees call on the on the news do you know now who's playing first who's the leader in the club house with the leader at first -- now -- New York it's -- Giambi in -- we all look at him and say there's no way he's playing a hundred games at first base I think he only played thirty something games last year. -- competitor somebody throws any kind of ground balls I don't want him on the field behind me. But that's the way the Yankees are constructed with the three left handed hitters Damon Matsui and Giambi for two spots. The only place the plan is he's got to play first base some -- NBA he's probably stayed away from KC because they already so left handed I think a perfect world. It like a right handed batters is a good defensive upgrade at first base Shelley Duncan is right handed hitter. But defensively he's not going to set the world on fire there either."
" if you're okay with the Red Sox Yankees some of the 9394 win range you look at Detroit as more than that based on that lineup."
" That they possibly could go higher I don't think they're better than New York Boston I think they're right a little step behind them. I just based on some of the questions their bullpen why -- score runs no command is going to be a dynamic offense -- team. I actually think Dontrelle Willis is going to have a real good year for them to -- and some people think I'm crazy because he really got hammered last year and a national league and usually change leagues here ER is going to -- by a half with would have to run. Add them up near sixth but I think he had to win every time he started for that team I think he felt that sort of responsibility he had to pitch deep into a game. He's now drafting behind guys like Verlander and Bonderman and I think Detroit is going to fall level and handles score a lot of runs for him they're real good team."
" And that is boring baseball talking heads into. Drugs in prison and perjury and breast augmentation -- you have been you that one of these guys who is very deliberate taking time you review that the depositions affidavits. Well people like you know we we can just go -- half cocked every day talking among Clemens. What was your feeling about Roger. Two and a half months ago before December 13 and what you -- feeling today is he going to prison."
" I'm my feelings I'm Roger listen we always heard rumors about him anybody who's in this -- does as well as he does or did Lleyton his career the red flags go up you know I'd obviously never had any first -- evidence of drug use with Roger. My first reaction from the Mitchell report is still true to this day what was the incentive for Brian back -- to completely make up the story about Roger Clemens when he was tell the truth about Knoblauch compare it just didn't add up to me. And I don't know that Roger and his advisors especially really thought about the end game of all this it's one thing to defend yourself. But you have to be prepared especially when he you -- so loudly notice that you are. For the fans to come knocking on your door and what happens then I saw Laxman was trouble Jeff Nowitzki I'm sorry you don't want him come into your life indicted to -- dumpster. On the jail. You know it looks that way Jerry I mean I don't know that there is a way to negotiate yourself out of this now this certainly and that might have been early on there's certainly no way to finesse your way out of -- so to speak with a PR campaign is loses -- much bigger problem I think than Roger anticipated was going to come his way he'll collect."
" I can understand why from Rogers individual perspective you might think I can stand up -- agreement on my chest because I'm Roger Clemens and anything I've ever said anybody has got me pass just because of who I am but his legal team. Had look at this objectively it's Roger it's one thing to say you're innocent it's another thing to lie or perjure yourself and and face jail time here to talk about Roger Clemens arrogance thinking I'm Clements I'm bigger than this I can get past this blog let's say it loudly enough and long enough --"
" I think you're absolutely right about that nets who I think if there was -- disconnect here -- his legal team in that. They're viewed him limo Roger Clemens. I'm sure there was a day when they sat down and and they said that state did not want Roger and it would recommend any client to get out there. In front of the public and protest as much as he did and to testify at his own behalf basically that did invite legal jeopardy. But not knowing Roger Clemens they sat down with him I can tell you firsthand Roger's face to face is very convincing. Very compelling very personable guy in and -- sure they sat down across from him they were convinced that Roger was convinced. That he was innocent and they had a right and obligation to defend Roger Clemens at that point whereas I think if you knew him he knew the history. You knew the landscape of baseball that time. You'd have to say what time out here let's really before we figure out going to get out there and tell everybody -- we -- let's go slow here and think about what more inviting."
" You have to all the over over recent months and years testing necessarily hasn't been a deterrent for these Major League Baseball which -- minor league baseball players suspensions certainly haven't been as well public embarrassment and humiliation to whatever extent hasn't been. Do you suspect that the two greatest players of their era offensively and on the mound bonds and Clemens will provide now the ultimate disincentive the ultimate deterrent for guys -- as much as I'd like to be where they are in the history of the game. I don't want to part with those two going through right now."
" That is a great point in net something that for the first time on start here from some younger players. That look what's happened to those guys and it happened very much so after the fact where I'm sure they thought they were friendlier in the legacies were established. They're rolling at this point the reputations are ruined their families have gone through a lot. I think the public spectacle it has become I think will and is beginning to serve as a deterrent to players doesn't mean players -- they're always going to cheat their competitive players. We still really don't have it at a good test for H TH it's still going on today. But I think -- terms of sheer numbers I think a lot of guys have been influenced now at least it's in their mind now that there are repercussions for these decisions that you make sure man and that of their numbers. Force these guys in the hall of him eventually -- that a a slam glory in Boston clemens' place. That's a great question -- for me personally it doesn't change things whether it was one guy or a hundred guys they cross that line I'm not voting for them. Amen and so I've listened but I didn't think I'd never heard people say this they're getting the kind of getting soft on this issue their rationalizing behavior by saying if everybody was doing it -- that argument that they were great before. I tell people you know -- plaque is not going to say that bonds retired in 1998 right I can't separate -- Barry from thirty area you just can't do that at what point are you good enough that you can cheat the game and do anything you want. Made it is Albert Pujols now green light at the start using up because he's this good. By the --"
" It didn't bother you when you heard comments say in the Morley -- for the Mike Wallace -- you on sixty minutes many set and again for all I've done. For the game of baseball when I first heard of the Salem on sixty minutes I thought he misspoke you meant to say all things I've done accomplished in the game of baseball and he said it again later and his can't even senate when he showed up at Kissimmee all the stuff that my father's done. For baseball."
" Yet he should get the benefit of the doubt. I don't know that it bothered me because he's gone I I think I know Roger well enough. I actually. I understand what he says and I actually expect him to say something along those lines he has been a good ambassador for baseball and his mind. He thinks that at least bought him the benefit of the down is misguided absolutely and your cattle for your actions. No matter what you've done for the game but -- he. It's seen it struck me that Roger was almost more angry that people warring giving him the benefit of the doubt the what Brian Mac -- actually sign about it. Did you know McNamee and do you know McNamee. Yeah I mean I can't say that I know well -- normal lives actually went through Roger's work out with Roger -- me was trading us he was a guy who -- say very much at all so I I can't say know much about him personally but he was a guy a lot of people look dad said I'm talking about baseball people my -- I -- trust them."
" Did he inject due to match yeah to I was -- put. Is there a Mac -- me in every clubhouse and was Clemens and bonds just bad luck you know that their guy happening get caught. Is there guide write him maybe in Boston who is the McNamee took the stars in Boston."
" That is a great point Jerry I think -- the lost a lot of people and the answer is if it's not one in every clubhouse. There are a lot more Mac and he's in redon skis out there and hating people looked at this Mitchell report says wow look at all these Yankee guys are Mets guys well that's because they. You know basically it was a high school book report if the feds didn't hand -- ski Mitchell so they get those two guys New York connected you're gonna get a lot of New York players but the fact is yes there is a lot of guys out there have been a lot of guys out there -- been supplying players. -- an individual teams Latin America southern California Texas mean there's a lot of those guys out there as we solid any parent or -- that was trolling a gym for -- eight."
" Think you know back then -- you remember there. People didn't think it was that big -- deal -- laugh about it still you know Beckett sickle Emeka you know muscles and that you -- lap steroids. They didn't view it as is it corrupting force in the game."
" Not in fact. I've ever go back there when I wrote the story I cam an city in 2002 life changed a lot of things help with a lot of things I have told my editors at the time as of this is the story we have to write because it is the worst kept secret baseball and it didn't get to a point -- who -- except that you're right Jerry guys -- Not talking about their own use openly but the idea of steroids in baseball. Guys talked about it joked about it. Ask questions about it it was an open issue around teams so for Roger Clemens or anybody to say all there was never any discussions about steroids that I was aware of those were flat allies."
" All the the end of your spring training efforts here when -- lap up new car about your your your fruits of your labor here in spring will it be a steroid story will be baseball story and if not steroids what will be the next big thing in baseball. This this year."
" You know I think the next big thing is a generation of players are going to bring -- on steroids is steroids and performance enhancing drugs are here to stay in that's always going to be an issue I have a problem with people who selves sick of it why guys talking about it what how we got into this mess in the first run and -- talk about it. So it's here but I do think there's a group a young players now. Is generation of players who have played everyday of their professional lives with testing in place. And I think those wild west days -- do anything he wanted without repercussions are god and his group the young players is changing game against not to say there aren't guys that they're still looking for and it's. But I think the culture has changed that people do it I think young players -- good in this regard they do want to turn the page. And bring baseball back at least. Sexually that it is a cleaner game than people think it is do you think we will see Curt Schilling prone on the pitch in the big leagues. -- I wouldn't write him off I don't know off it's going to be with the Red Sox for this year I had my doubts about that is from a physical standpoint but. Curt to me is one of those guys he makes up his mind that he's going to pitch again and he'll pitch again I used -- says about wade Boggs when he talked about. Not openly -- you've talked teammates like about getting 3000 hits when he had his mind made up that getting 3000 it was him again. No matter how long he had the play -- to go he was going to get it. And I think is curt wants to keep playing this game he will play his game. He's done those competitor do you think we'll see Barry Bonds and another home run in the major league uniform. You know I do addicts can't tell you right now who that team is going to be that might not even be in April but I just have this feeling that. There's general manager or an owner out there. One month his players goes down. Looks at Barry Bonds -- numbers from last year. And checks himself into thinking at that guy's going to help his team and report what price will be paid for that anatomy and cell yet exactly and that is my point is that Barry Bonds made. Make you better incrementally him. But what is in a deal in terms of the baggage that he brings the issues in the clubhouse the media attention that other players have to answer for you know if you haven't lived at the way the giants have lifted you can sort of talk yourself into thinking you could put up with it and it's worth it but he's not the player he was three of four years ago when he was worth it he was that good again changed the game you put up with everything else. He's not that good now he can still hit. But I as they said I think there's some owner GM out there who picked himself and the signing."
" My favorite Purdue -- item in the past month that Jim Murray the guys that little emissary Hendricks brothers. When he testified said I don't remember or some variation in my don't remember a 165 times a 165 time and how many questions he was asked what I'm seventy maybe while definition runs under 43 pages send in the in my favorite answer. I don't remember what I remember about what he was going to say was his answer to one question."
" Well in this gets back -- to you know Roger and the people he is surrounded himself with for years and years I mean of the word enabling has been used a lot and I think this is one of those cases where. No -- that up to Roger and against that Roger let's bring this thing throw instead he was still the rocket and Nolan wanted to stand up -- He has sports Illustrated's cover it's always fun talking baseball it's dumplings for the time"
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