8-27-08 Terry Francona, Red Sox manager

" It's Mike -- Larry relief while filling in for dale and Holley joining us now on the eighteenth the hotline as a manager of the Boston Red Sox. Terry Francona. Live from the visitor manager's office at Yankee Stadium for one of the final times perhaps. Terry is also budget by and Mika insurance. Interest systems doctor runner and doctor Robert Leonard it's 1800 get -- And Terry Francona joins us now from New York Terry how -- yeah. Good afternoon good to talk to you. We -- we have some reports you know that the a Mark Kotsay deal is official I was curious if you could talk about that."

" No but this -- a big people work I don't shocker but I think the media got not a -- complete. They're really not into account for from sort by hand in the they're heroes I don't feel able."

" Okay and we'll stick with. Last night you know the play everyone's point it was just a masters and coming in that situation in the seventh inning by getting Alex Rodriguez to ground into a double play. I had to show you a lot in that situation from Justin Masterson."

" You know you're spiritually. -- we got you know wake got us five article -- at a rural community return over rated apartment. He. -- four pitches to park in Baltimore it and then also lost strike zone and didn't look like you're gonna get back. So what the masters in a real pot spot and -- look great it's about. Again doubt the best people or one pitched two out scenario is -- just tried to limit the damage their. All you're out and he got out without any wrong about that a -- that good -- great --"

" Ya and I have been talking a lot that the pits before. Is to me every bit as important. When you can go strike wine in that situation to come in bases loaded one out the best hitter in the game arguably and get ahead all on one is. So huge and it in my opinion -- a young pitcher like that what your thoughts."

" Any pitcher and not just rolled all about the battle but haven't stopped on at all we are great -- if you look at those statistical. Numbers of guys when they're ahead in the count what they're behind account it's amazing how different hitters are public or dangerous they. They yet what their -- out publish or you can expand the plate when you're had no it it's it's a big deal."

" It was because of 15 games in this world triple beleaguered farm totally that's the most when you have on the road trip this season what's the difference in how comfortable of the guys gotten on the road and you gotta be pleased to see the output in the you know. On the opportunity on the road where from the fans."

" You have sometimes those numbers are all of really cute -- We we -- we not play well on the road that's for sure all the results have a band ball we need that's for sure. We've lost some killer games earlier this season that we want to structurally lost a lot of one run. The that we look to throttle do debate and we we -- it gave an extra innings that it was a little false hope. Sometimes you really viewpoint lawyer enough but at least things turn around. No wonder bullpen. -- out got a chance of the world bowl and no runs almost picture chances -- especially on the road."

" I certainly interest in the other day after the Toronto game about Jacoby Ellsbury after crashes into the -- and stays in the game he said. I'm paraphrasing here that you think he grew up a little bit in that game can explain what you meant by that."

" Awestruck to look compliment in order that it gave more. He's got a chance -- got banged up pretty good credible resided shoulder will Burton. Italy he could be good contest expected for the longest time it needed you to -- game but he understood more we wore as a team. And just. Stood out there instead he'll get the contact BM. And -- good job against I don't all the young players were picked first ultimately understand that Jacoby understanding that was huge. That's part of that would Johnny Damon used to be like this alligator popular bodies don't hit for him to start understanding responsibilities like that Estrada doubled big problem."

" What do you think last night when you hear a guy like Alex Rodriguez getting that crowd reaction you got from Yankee Stadium."

" You know I I really don't pay attention. We -- We get -- focused all -- but we got about. That you know sometimes figure things sometimes you don't but we really don't pay much attention. Well being is if they're -- in what our goal right. But the -- and it would make too much attention that we started sidetracked topic we don't really need to pick them based. At what we're doing stuff or have conversations that -- not even think about all of the crowd who."

" No of course he got Paul Byrd going tonight and then on Friday Josh Beckett of course you know start. Are pushed back once or twice how excited are you to see him getting back on the mound on Friday."

" How will work cited -- mean we we obviously reserve the right to. To always make -- but he threw a side yesterday evil lift but he did you have pretty pretty. Are two aspects. Well we'll wait and see how we shall look to today. But I think we're all -- about this were or were we want to be careful. We don't ever want to send somebody up about what they have symptoms. Because you're put somebody's career in jeopardy will want to do that all about a visit wryly while -- that used to -- reserve the right field I shall not. Because we do know what everybody. Get out of respected Josh in and it would be anybody we're going to make sure there --"

" What's the feeling on JD Joanne what to expect from him the rest of the year do you feel. That this DL stint is a maintenance thing that should get them right -- should be able play down the stretch or do you not know."

" Don't at all I think he'll be I think the reason we DL oldham -- that. Yesterday -- gold on nine days bloody good the couple bad so even though we think he might be ready by this weekend. Yet picked up about it's probably not very realistic. That he's going to play regain into the world of the White Sox hole. So evident we started -- sort of bodies you know we could have a few available. The world speed up soul we got first -- up here and we deal treaty in this way. He can even if it takes Dexter Bears hope we get him back but he can play most of the time like -- has bad -- certainly hope."

" Have you seen anything over your years of Major League Baseball history with that injury. Guys at the plate what are not being able played through it is the tricky one but what are your thoughts overall on well."

" He's played for about five years. That's not the other and we do what you -- in for his tomorrow we knew what was there to probably double visit it's battling around. That ever happen. -- on the -- everybody have a ruptured you were. What are your myself to wake up -- pleasure backus battled. And you gotta wait for the com battle. This -- had to calm down we got a lot of game last Sunday real quick hoping that that's all would be that actually jacked up Japan's big thing. And we thought we kind of know that the but got a quick enough ability got to move around -- expect a worse. It got a little better first -- intellectually lineup. And heavy -- to move around and called into the opposite order to just can't get that out Honda took -- just to kind of calm now. We we -- About the biscuit and she got but it -- the ball well that. Let them."

" Yeah -- how serious or alarming wasn't when you see the word or you know seeing him go to waste my special -- that. That's pretty serious."

" Oh well I think one adult weight naturally not a that we we have a obligation. To. To have organized it looked out. Because again. We have all these MRI and we have -- news -- read stated from previous interest. We know what's going on we want this is there any change was -- wasn't. Just against the -- reassure the player yourself the -- bullet through his most culture and there isn't something good this belt is going on. So again I think we were kind of were at least. As to what we heard from -- art. Again what the symptoms will bear in key employees got a little tussle but."

" Terry as a physician you almost feel pretty good about how you handle the Coco Crisp thing from day one you know it. It be a pretty easy knee jerk thing to have a player command demand a trade and you say okay well we don't want -- get credible but. Yet I think you altered the approach in spring training that if you make ourselves better five will -- we're not going to. Hurt the overall quality of the teams to appease one guy and I think that as at all -- out in the final analysis Coco is give you some pretty good depth here."

" I think we really I don't agree about completely -- We've got that's why pathetic and that's what we sit and talk the players explain deplores how we feel try to be our government help what are what expectations are. And -- on day one of those -- you can't you're not going to please everybody. The during the course you're a lot of things happened we -- Whipple Melbourne that a lot things have happened then. Guys are piled up at bats and it never fails huge bowl happened if you got to help bodies that it might -- for."

" Looking to catch us up to date on my -- lol and deal bleak and it's bully be heading off into any time soon."

" today actually came back enjoyed this just had a real good they're really looks good. I think the schedule they're going to let him get off -- today and the progression will be on how he reacts. But still good I think betrayed -- for -- that's part -- a --"

" All the base running last night Terry had to be pleased with dads that let you know dole winning in all phases of the game to a couple extra bases there aren't. Gave a couple key runs in that bought into real under rate your point of doing those things at certain times."

" Well I think what I've got one under rating I think what it is as we believe we've been constructed last -- won't work one world or power hitting teams but you. Can't always help all that just the latest. Now with the additional pavement very good but it sure we're playing Coke -- an old buried the same horrible bowl both were tremendous pressure on the a couple of Pedroia review -- Lowry not that he's -- he's not a bad -- were were were world -- beat a little bit and try to take advantage of taking extra bases. Because that's the -- were constructed. Provocative all the all -- as much -- we people on base but."

" Have you sort of defying your feelings on the the shortstop situation and Julio Lugo when he returns high you're going to manage that. Which you call what you have a what you may have that at one point a classic Bob to have meeting up. A tough choice to make which is I think what you probably want."

" Well I don't ever feel obligated to break cattle lineup to a release at a but the record sent. Julio out of step back -- actually bought the right now. Working with belt law of those guys sort get it just doesn't make sense for -- this guy can play on to temporary deep. And so it things happen when what we. Need to make decisions we we do we talked for the players and then. It'll usually could be years next -- we always thought the worst first. Wool -- then we're going to play a team that we think can help us win but all communicate --"

" What are your thoughts on Yankee Stadium -- going to miss that."

" I'll tell everybody -- mom does that and I've enjoyed playing games here it. Should there if you're looking at some of the best baseball players in the world on both sides in the games mean so much. -- about a hundred yards away and I'll go walking around heard it on in the -- that let them. But the games -- on agreement so -- it it's if you care Bob baseball's fun place to play games."

" It doesn't matter to you the ones like. What your end. A new stadium -- anti septic stadium or old stadium like the one you plain here that has a great atmosphere and a feel. Does that matter to you one Blake do you enjoy the special places -- again there's just not Matt."

" I probably do enjoy some of those special places slumping. I don't think that it affects how you play. But I certainly it'll order wrigley are still enjoy that a lot because all the Boston. Got me and I used -- antiseptic coming. I didn't really like you know place like Tibetan three Rivers Glover probably can't go to yeah. You have got to that goal almost you'd like to stay with the personality. -- Undershirt did new -- state was going to be Powell and sites are not going to go blue Bulls hope it'll it'll be fun to play they're 200 you'll look bigger or be as their payroll part will put."

" August it's hard to match Milwaukee county stadium what you've done that I think everything else just that takes."

" Like now placed to make everything Olympic body work everything -- on the."

" It'll let me ask you this -- do you feel like you know with. The remaining games and -- where the Yankees or is this an opportunity for the guy as the -- them going into that hot nailed boot in the face."

" Where I don't think anybody in my position whatever saying that being we we really try hard to stay in the present. Pointer to ask questions like that in all the best article bucks business is to. Do capacity. If you take care of the basket and then those questions did -- by the way you play not I'd be saying that and they'll try to well play good divide and we keep -- things like that. Then there's been those schedule in -- the scoreboard every little thicker until."

" I don't know that -- said to these games start to feel different you know Terry can you tell."

" Old gal played culture traditional part of your work you couldn't you couldn't tell but he he -- figure out its new and dedicated to grind of the season and you get in late August these games -- authors -- get around that you could tell by the way the guys react. Itself on part of the year it. It's up around Philadelphia is so envious of local dealer bud out. Teams are beat up they're tired but they're nervous. And we were -- they're going to try to play the role of spoiler which I think overrated. Being a part of this is very exciting you managed to."

" What -- what in May."

" Arnold thinks albeit depends on you know we we go to night -- night I mean the games are important which you can't. -- What applicant do you have -- war we certainly understand the significance of game but I I have a few games without bitterness -- board."

" Terry what about the bullpen situation and -- the organization against the law that out of your purview it's worth the Al but you had some opportunities -- probably at the trade deadline debatable. Maybe is still do -- before this waiver deadline but instead he decided to. Stick with the guys that you had and and and throw a couple of young guys in there and see if someone a margin it and it looks like as you're standing here today. That the -- you know the philosophy in the direction you talked may have worked out. -- thoughts on the."

" Yeah I agree that can write. It up my job to make those decisions contrary to blast. But also bowl -- available at what they were asking. And I think Marmol was Britain Masterson and these young. Well I think the timing was right he had basically experience as a starter so we -- we didn't think reporting middle forward be overwhelmed. And with the money that people but it relievers right now it's very scary and the vote until about I'd be scared so the more you can. Bring guys up through your system and put him in the bullpen I think the third changeup which exposed."

" I'd take the money out of it it would seem to meet Terry that. The track record of bringing up -- nobody of talent you know in your organization on your forty man that the odds are better but you bring up one of your young arms. On your forty man roster than it is to trade for veteran even if that Boettcher looks like he's going good we also what happened with you and Gagne. Last year the Yankees may be experiencing now with marte. It seems to me that those things blow law. More than they work out and you better off if you've got a masters -- to take a shot with him what what is it about that."

" Now look yeah maybe maybe it we've we've experienced both agreeing. -- market like Boston -- New -- and a guy -- really -- it's certainly not easy because -- they're going to feel. And that's happened before -- god it held off. The spot on -- You know nobody's giving up pitching that's the thing of being the of people are available. Probably down people -- available. Well because it's so hard on its."

" To erode quickly before early to get out here Paul Byrd going to and I hope comfortable is he getting. With Jason Varitek seems to be getting pretty comfortable."

" I think they're -- they've actually thrown he's -- tech in the winter a few -- built so there's some familiarity. I think anybody comes in the organization is eager to throw attacked because W as a what he does to prepare so I don't think that's open look at the way out on the -- think he's pro outside the ball with a double."

" time for favorite part of the week it's the Red Sox second guessed -- Beimel he can sunny world at play today's question comes from leave Burnett in bad for New Hampshire Terry. -- Alex Cora warming up the bullpen against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday the twentieth. At what point if at all would you ever using not pitcher to pitch -- is that telling your team -- that this game is officially out of reach that's from a leave Burnett in Bedford."

" Yeah at -- to Baltimore where actually sent pour out of the bullpen. Because we were down by six. And we got into the ball went to like roll real orally. We had a couple audit Masterson resort to -- that we didn't use. Belt buckles right and a -- there's liable for. It was a Turkey kind of Dicey situation what a -- called -- in fact we ended up score not one single us. Phillies get Okajima backed out for a second Nadal wore. Just because. I didn't want to send out message -- how we are on the street which is on the position pour out there. Guys you're pretty much spelled it it'll play it won't work trying to salvage thrust more open to little personal body has not -- manager wants to do. Developed game vocal jump over the wall sort of field despite what we will play Campbell that'll keep back out just because of the way we're approaching the game."

" Do you have a formal threshold in 7 run lead ninth inning six run lead eight that is there a a certain. -- literally one totally put on it."

" Golf ball albeit it depends on who prevailed -- not too often do we have pictures about third and into the actual role. -- you can just trying to keep guys healthy some -- and stuff put up well what do losing you virtual body org cynical about -- that -- open."

" Okay that's Terry Francona for being selected leave Burnett has won a midweek hotels at Mohegan Sun Mohegan Sun a world at play Tito thanks so much about. Excellent Terry Francona from New York and Yankee Stadium for. Last time last I'm on the dale and -- program he talked with from Yankees did it lasts. Somehow the -- they got that out Terry Francona is brought you buy AT&T with more bars in more places. Switched to the wireless network with the best global coverage AT&T your world delivered."