Tom Verducci

" Fourth and final hour Dennis and Callahan of walking by the TV last week in the Cubs Dodgers game is on and I looked down and that that looks like that hard hitting. Journalistically incisive objective and outlet wordsmith Robert Gucci and I'd turn the sound and -- and sure enough he's turned the blow dried TV's star. Doing television now are for him from Sports Illustrated Tom you've got the dark sides I'm -- due up Peter King it."

" Peter King that -- as it's been the tradition of the new west side these days guys the multi media world like that. I -- bottom really great group with TB yes. Best part. Being out there right next the field like that dugout Bedard gave most awkward on the cup player about umpires strike dollar. In the kind of stopped the pitcher's tag up but -- would come by Jack for a little bit. So let me talk about the inside game -- the best part the outfield level and being -- that the player thirty."

" See now you allow Erin Andrews gets older information while it's -- heard it talked heard during game. You know you don't."

" It was spot not made hopefully people enjoyed it I expect that theory to be able -- a science the more you. --"

" You are you are the ultimate baseball -- hell you played at the Toronto Blue Jays now you're in the dugout you you you're the premiere baseball writer in the country. And I can't help but think what Manny Ramirez has done here the way he shot himself out of Boston in the way. Of course this deal for selfish reasons it does not offend your sensibilities the way it offends him recover."

" Are you -- I guess that they've beyond being expanded at this become used to things like this happening. Yeah outlook Manny has banned I think you know Red Sox that would have to admit that he's been an eight model citizen with Dodgers and part of the reason -- great Red Sox and it's almost does that. You know that you're old girlfriend she dumped you and he's still walking down -- what somebody else she's happier than he's ever been going to get upset. Listen guys has nowhere -- easily in the -- situation the Red Sox in a situation. Well one of the biggest hitter in your lineup you didn't know he was going to be in the lineup on the stated date date as if they're hard throwing right hander out there. -- can't forget those things don't go away excusing it but the fact that it will -- he got what he wanted. And I love the Red Sox are better without guys but they're better without the issue of many."

" We'll talk you know what offends people around here when they when they read the line in your peace in Sports Illustrated the scouts of clock Manny at four point four seconds running to first base a speed not seen from him in years you'll understand why baseball fans in Boston are offended by that don't --"

" Absolutely I mean obviously that the ground ball against the it. That way and that was just one example -- the fact that he's getting MRI on at eight complaint about that ultimately isn't. Audiotape beside sport first base from a double by James Loney the first inning of game great. You know -- quick that -- and it get around the bases and he cut those bases the out that was textbook based all the way around the bases. So yeah I can certainly understand why Red Sox and look at that Salem. I thought this guy would -- don't -- an art. Topic clearly -- motivation what to get up off the guys I don't know that and we all know that lately that I was helped facilitate that."

" How -- how rare is what many did in baseball and I don't mean the specifics of of land down like a dog and having to be talked on to a team plane to go from Anaheim to Seattle and suggesting he needed to take ten day eleven games in ten days off and I'll see you you know when the Kansas City series starts and -- again not all that stuff but the fact that an entire clubhouse virtually the veteran core. Leadership of a clubhouse said to a general manager get this heard out of this club how does that happen very often in baseball as best you can tell Tom."

" No I don't think so odd you know baseball you guys know not a player currently like the MBA I mean it it's hard for one player to dictate policy. I will go back to the year what Randy Johnson and it last year in Seattle people thought he wasn't giving it his. That in Seattle in under five under for 41 four months of the season he was very happy. Already look IA eleven got it back Wallace's numbers are not up to what they usually work. Manny he had traded to the Houston Astros he was virtually unbeatable for the rest of that season as the closer cop like come remember -- they get dramatic air yeah. But I remember people you know thinking that they weren't getting the best that Randy Johnson in walking."

" I heard you say a few weeks ago Tom that. Toronto would be illogical destination for many next year. It seems that the a lot of people in LA want to keep him right worry is has anything changed in your mind -- idea that any other places you think makes sense -- next year."

" I got that they keep their have a pretty good market I have I'm almost positive you'll get a four year deal from somebody in the a lot of pressure on the Dodgers."

" Because that -- has fallen in love with them to Graham back and many no doubt love loss and right now I think you laws and nationally. Nationally pitchers."

" they have paid attention the last thirteen years but -- go after it and they're getting an agent they hit and eat a lot and I think around except I think it'd -- and they haven't -- now the bad pitching in the American -- it was -- with a mediocre -- Here but they've made politte made eight at bat not -- the Manny would be the perfect fit people are talking about the Yankees the Mets I'll see that happening. Manning has now shifted now from you know the high pressure high expectations -- and -- laid back LA I think he'd enjoy that that'll be an option of and -- bear market. It's going to be a medium through the laid back market west coast."

" I think you'll see that giant if not and it from any yet think they'll be NF from Mark Teixeira and RCC sabathia. -- one exciting missed this Whitner not going to be many if that I have to admit."

" On Teixeira they've met -- the bat yet."

" I can't see that meant for Manny I think he's going to have maybe not."

" You know -- choice because that they get stopped for nationally in the bill -- Was many but I think he's going to have a pretty good market -- immediately -- apartment 25 million a year. I think it turned out or your bill I think that's realistic."

" Thomas the Dodgers front office did -- specifically had a -- moment with Manny yet and I refer to the champagne celebration after eliminating the Cubs he passes -- on his way either from the field to the club policy from the -- host to the field hugs and says I want a five year deal while he's drinking champagne on an elimination game the first thing he says to the Dodgers general manager -- I want a five year deal as anybody had the all moment out there yet."

" Not yet I mean I I think they clearly are getting any on his best behavior back to the Red Sox gangs salary makes everything a little easier tolerate. Yeah a fact is that you know -- chains music in the clubhouse will do it -- Why didn't have any before but a lot of starting pitcher what do you like air he'll pop band music of that picture about tense second. -- it -- music is status is better as people looked a lot that self. It hit a honeymoon period out -- I mean -- things that made it two -- three years -- my ankle people the wrong way but yet but on the contract. And Manny being Manny. I doubt it but it up for that the qualifying game that they're under and it's actually been right now. A great environment for -- it is really -- that came relax and especially the younger player."

" I don't know if you interviewed Scott Boras in person or over the phone for the story but the we have a straight face or was he laughing out -- when he told the story about the odd aspect of the negotiation with the Dodgers."

" Yeah nodded team out there now let talking about there at LA and mean less than. He -- job -- you can say that you don't like the way to anyone about it the fact that you can accuse them of not giving the Red Sox their very best which you're obligated to do under contract. But worked out. And you know later in many on the field resurrected -- the first -- talk about the job up forested bulk. Why you know Scott promised that against might -- about their contract he and it got a very good place -- any happier right now. Consideration based pilot those two guys -- the rest of us can say hey I don't agree with these message you're effective they got exactly what they wanted it probably will get that went --"

" Put the seed in the ground and watered it was that many -- idea to shoot his way out of town or that Boris is idea many bought into it."

" Okay great question I really don't know I don't -- people guys that you know Scott Boras said that because let's face. -- that the original contract with the Red Sox need to stand there aren't any money. I thought I might check got horses -- pretty well from my you know I don't think -- living and dying on getting a piece of -- next contract may need to immediately."

" Well early man the money either Tom."

" I obviously Ghali you know uncapped check is that and it blocker and glove compartment -- week not an insult. I am I don't think it was something that's got decided I need to do this because I need the money and a lot of people have written that. I think he is -- it because it would looking for a way out. And you want to lay out and you want to hard line negotiator -- they're not like him or not up or you're god."

" And he's got Teixeira in Manning's -- he's going to have quite a winter what what do you -- happen in this round obviously Tom. Every one all the networks and then they want Boston LA are you expecting a want to get with they're looking for here we -- Dodgers Red Sox in the finals."

" I really let me remind me in the NBA season where people or on the Celtics and the Lakers broke a good month for two months before he got in the final now and it worked out. People thought they wanted the MBA at the TV people felt they want to. Well and it gave. Understand it great story line that would be good terms of rating. But that case you're asking both changed so overcome the lack of home field advantage to get to the World Series you know I'm not so sure that that's going to happen. Affiliate are much talk for trot that the Cubs work you know I didn't like that dropped for the Cubs are against the Dodgers and all that right and it pitching. As big a deal or three games but. But that would and it's not yours for the cup -- is. And that much more balanced at a pitchers broke much more many more strikes. Erratic beat you a lot while it could be with the speed on the bases that ball at. -- So I hated Dodgers going to have a soft I don't actually think that the Red Sox are going to have a tough time here I mean. Beckett Lester had -- second time now you can't throw and it trop where that the rated gas. I don't like out and made it to the middle Kapler 32 and four in one into -- game that the trot. Now they're very optimal line -- closed games. All they way and although it it's tough way to go -- walk and their best in the post season situation so. Fact that eighteens have popular bad may is going to make different not right now the only affiliate -- World Series then sure box people Redick had."

" So why I guess it's safe to say the baseball people all over the planet on October ninth are no longer saying what you know all these young rays have been here before it's about time for them to pull that battled sought is is. Put aways and not Tom."

" Dot play like guys I went over that about you know auditors yes -- if anybody was around Matt Cain. I'm sure you guys saw that when they came into that last series badly at the amber. It's a team that is acting job and they they play -- because they're very athletic and they cover ground like nobody else in Major League Baseball but. A lot there and they know they're there I can happen I think the all inexperience factor is wildly overrated especially these days. That we have testing in place for drug that got you know guys in the mid to late birdies. Into gains of -- better make sure that they're it's young man. It may and I think the experience despite -- overrated I'd rather go players and their prime. Ellen net 25 to ferry went out. That a guy who's been out at the policy -- Spirit that -- approve of that the -- I think. It was a they've got some Spirit and banned from the leaders Floyd -- he's first of all all bad but. I don't like the way it came go to Paris and it like they've played chip on the chip on the shoulder there's no doubting themselves well I anybody else -- the rate about now."

" Think of the experience factor for the Angels and experience it was bad experience -- Vlad Guerrero and Garret Anderson and guys like that who knew. That they've had this this struggles with the Red Sox in the past and they and they look like they were carry in the weight of history in the field every game I'd rather have guys. -- don't know what you know what they don't know."

" a lot to me said Vinatieri go back to the -- last year that run that they -- rod nobody there aren't aware that they were exposed the -- because they'd been there before and you know I go back go from world champions or at a wedding scene it back to K rod is in the -- for the -- had been up for one week of the regular season. Adam Wainwright turning into a close -- for the -- down the stretch Bobby Jenks getting the big gaps for the White Sox and -- I had. Again never pitched many big gate four and a lot at least not immediately. So yeah up until that talent over experience that again is that merely -- all rate the -- irrespective picked up."

" They -- much vulnerabilities or what vulnerabilities on both the Red Sox in the rays will each one tried to exploit in the series."

" Why hectic with the raised you do wonder if they can score enough and I I think the Red Sox and in Poland down enough I don't think it's going to be I part series at all. Is not great up and it's been an opportunistic one they can get a bunt down -- manufacture runs you know first third second com are very good at. I can say the Red Sox pitching very well against at -- and set a comparable to those games by. If you count out through jutting out ray is -- to do that I actually think the Red Sox ended at the other end. It's me that you're going to have to get into the Red Sox all for the race as they can win games I think in the -- that bank. Watching Beckett Beckett clearly not self I'm. I haven't seen him like that a lot -- terms it lacked command. So it not the lockdown guy we all thought he was a lot of the year October so that they can get into the all bad certainly could be that. Boxes doctor like it and it. You know they -- can negate the fact that and it got no shot -- pop Papelbon the last five or you're out but. Like gang tackle spot again I don't think that the Red Sox like that yet."

" Yeah Joe Madden actually says that the papers is our goal is to get an inflate Matsuzaka pitched total early and get to the bullpen targets are going to see some patient raise at least in game one."

" Yet that's usually not there at all but it you guys know at Matsuzaka you know no matter who we -- as -- it throughout those pitch counts. Unnecessarily. That you would think that added attain a -- that he could exploit that he can attack early in the count and keep the pitched out down by. I'm not expecting that they've added it has not been aware that it --"

" Which he has the better manager."

" I applaud -- because -- Condit because. I don't believe I'm a believer that -- postseason is different terms of running again. I think having experience there at the manager really does help a that you got in a little bit quicker and getting your starting pitcher. I think we probably -- can't take any think program idea that our -- broke we do -- down. You know in those situations before it. As far as frank -- it goes I think there's a lot to be set of that you know it it's almost fired a back there to Joe Torre and it is back on it I realized. There's almost no situation at a post season series that they haven't been terrible for you know there's nothing that they are doing that is. Learning on the fly you know whether it was the first game win the first game. In other out to load -- up to go to -- outbreak. Yet they've -- virtually every situation and -- spot that though I think in that regard have to get at their."

" And and look at the new guys Simien who we know guys like Ortiz and and even Pedroia or could you -- have been there but then you have in the angels' series you have guys like bay. And Lowry and kotsay -- proves he can't back on these inexperienced new guys there -- they look pretty comfortable to."

" They do and I think it's tribute to a culture that the Red Sox have established here aside that would be Yankees in ninety. Where you get there you're expected to grind out at bat. The first bank -- a lot out and you know I'd see guys that evil aren't necessarily very good off at the wire. You know a guy like or Alex Cora. It yet -- okay obviously not beat the heat better -- eat a lot of Red Sox get down upon their lineup. They're not giving the other pitcher means panic in every inning -- betting against the Red Sox it is even that they get you out. You'd have to work very hard hit that out but in the -- not something in the Red Sox that now and I think the players who commented that culture. Jump on board immediately that's just the way or what the white when he put on the uniform and contribute to our ship -- tribute to frank R cherry Dave -- and hit hitting coach it's a very sustainable approach they have and it is one -- guys like I and it's a picnic -- and I am. -- case because I'll deal but I'd ever want to underestimate the fact the Red Sox just keep coming at you and make -- wary now."

" And I got an idea affiliate these stories this week for next week's magazine about. I am that the -- you do first person. As Tropicana Field."

" Great history at -- yeah yeah oh yeah humans they don't."

" This from Peter Gammons the rays are 23 and two at home when they dropped 30000. Or more so when it's loud. At home -- I mean half of them are Red Sox fans -- that as a matter when it when they're home and they are sold out there almost unbeatable."

" I mean it got I got back in 95 people that problem. Depressing place nobody on the play. -- what they want for the first time that I Europe people start getting on board with that. That's places that you told it was a bad it was a loud at the metrodome when they're winning in 91 and eighty that are any other place. And I think it's the same thing with the -- the other can't get it and there and they're not used to that placed being so loud and energetic. And the fact that it it is the first time for the -- You know admitted -- opulent as an -- might -- believe very crowd noise -- but inside. -- all -- in it that one -- I think it has effective."

" Double early Doucet to for the final question will we ever see Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds played Major League Baseball again."

" Now Don and done. -- Eric do about it too radioactive I mean. Obviously it begins to work against he'd take a year off from baseball mid forties I don't vote -- argued but. More certain that it is that radioactive there's much baggage there and but I don't let out what you guys stop the Yankees did have their closing ceremony at the stadium. I've really it I was wrong that they made no mention Roger Clemens at all and initiative at least drama out there on the video board respect like they did. Jesse Barfield. At."

" I'm -- this you'll pretty -- giant. -- I think it."

" When you have got to start and Giambi get the the last hit it he can't be haven't steroid guys involved and -- out."

" Exactly right they didn't have as part of the ceremony is they had video tribute -- Giambi not lock on the Mitchell report. And it made decision not what Roger never felt -- not condone anything in my Daven you know we all know the history but. Active and these guys I think at the yankees' unique except everything different era and about not that we are not all the other guys."

" Will he come clean this winter Willie sit down with someone and say. Yeah. I admitted."

" Well I got I don't see that mean. You know even mind if he wrote in that regard and that Pete Rose seventeen year admit that your cell. You know you guys know Roger very proud person to very stubborn guy I think he's. Yeah he's you know off every possibility that he tenured have to prove to people they haven't sent and that might both have very long -- trial. But the fact is that it. I don't see any concession and Roger on it not as quiet night that it ever -- It will be years from now."

" Are -- to see you in the dugout on the broadcast."

" Well there in the NLC yes though I. Actually got the NL VS those by it he came in the dugout --"

" Covered the Sports Illustrated now blow dried TV guy always a pleasure talking baseball with -- we'll -- down the road. -- from Sports Illustrated with Dennis and Callahan."