Dave O'Brien, Red Sox Broadcaster

" Let's talk some baseball right now with the superb play by play announcer for the Boston Red Sox are buddy Dave O'Brien hello David."

" Michael always gentleman and a man -- you. Artists. Sort of revealing after last -- outstanding reflect when -- Fenway Park it was. The great deal on great atmosphere and terrific finish and it -- still trying to figure out in you know you guys are getting asked the question we're getting pummeled with a does well in the in -- radio book why it is that the -- part of dominated the Yankees like this whether there's seven annulled by the -- lot of very good reason departure is that there's there is just one reason."

" I used the word fluke is that too strong. I don't know -- seven and -- between these two teams is a -- him."

" It'd it'd buried we year's I I never saw this coming and you -- looking it up they'll like it is Rico where prepping for and what are the matchup syndicate and you know there's six Red Sox regulars in the line -- who have bad at well over 300 in their career against the Yankees so. Match up wise it just might be case for the Yankee pitching -- It is not a good match -- the Red Sox just beat these guys and that's one thing and I think what we've seen the last two nights in Burnett and long. Are you want case now he's not throwing many strikes. At least the the Red Sox strength and then not swinging at the first but that's not the strikes on at a Red Sox are spending this -- keep pitching staff that there will. Will he have to be some part of that because you know he that that seemed like -- at -- with. This lined up and in this amount of -- on the table up until this point is that we hear."

" And talk about the money that the Yankees spend too with with their payroll I said the deal earlier despite that heavy payroll. I think the Red Sox have more depth if something goes wrong especially on the pitching staff do you agree."

" Well I definitely agree with that I think the Yankees are shown themselves to be a little bit and now I used pitched well last by coming out bullpen purse structure and really kept them in the ballgame but they have a giant problem with -- and I think with. Jumper cables are still trying to figure things out Red Sox have more bulletin that gun and anybody especially if smoltz comes. Today's rehab body get really good shape. Direct but could conceivably go to a six man rotation and and obviously we know we have on the farm at this point. In a Red Sox systems so there's no question Red Sox have that depth and I think Boston's bench depth. Just got a lot better with Mark Kotsay coming back. This tends to be an overlooked thing because you don't Mark Kotsay is is not a blind guy he's just don't really good ball player. Center field right field he can belliard -- he can play first base. He can run the bases were really thinking it left and got off the bench he's made -- Red Sox bench a lot better just by his broad."

" We were just discussing this before before he came on the air if you look at the Red Sox through this the start of the season until now. Who would you say has been their most consistent offensive force so far."

" Well I think what he's been healthy it's been viewed from me it made it Jason -- a great great season he -- a little bit lately which is bound to happen is good -- band. But premier Kevin Youkilis to -- Kevin Youkilis has developed into a superstar web. But I thought that you ESPN games in in other parts of the country. A lot of people want to talk about you -- power -- that he's become you know we look at the on base percentage which is the tops in the majors -- I think ultra fascinated by the fact that he has changed it seems to change. Is hitting style from a guy who was going to be a hundred and maybe a 120 walks a year I got in middle walked ninety times this year. He is an incredibly aggressive hitter. If you're talking you'd he'll tell you that money ball was was probably. Not an accurate description. Well exciting hitter he was -- planning on becoming in me he drew did go over under walks in the minor leagues and when the book came out the timing was. You know appropriate for that particular topic it Kevin Youkilis was. With that deadline -- that he's really not that kind hitter. He does not go into one that many counts we look at it the other day he's not in the top 25 in Major League Baseball in extending pictures. The -- to count -- that would surprise even real hardcore Red Sox."

" Now of surprises me and that's why mr. O'Brien we have you on the air right now that educators tell us things that we don't have about a hundred. But but Dave you know you you mentioned earlier you -- the fact that -- the a lot of baseball nationally. I'm wondering who the best players use in baseball Red Sox and yankees including the best players you've seen in the game this year."

" Boy that's a great question now that I've had three outlook poor old games and I I. Can't sit there and tell you that this is better player. On the face of the planet today the multiples because so much of the success for the cardinals falls into his lap that he had a bad night. If he only -- one hit it he doesn't pick up that runner from third base. They're not going to win game I've never seen one teen focused so much of its offensive attack. I mean even when you know upon is doing is saying however he was doing his -- They had camp and they had richer really they had a pretty good hitters on those giant these and any other but -- in Saint Louis but they've really they've got kind of a no name line out. And pool -- is such a great it has the ability to barrel up on everything the way he does and he's made himself a gold glove caliber first baseman. Great guy in the community you know you just hope it. Any whispers about these guys to put up great numbers are not true. When is someone the caliber apparently about the polls who is the logistic dot parents say it was -- nobody better to meet. And he's not he's not a super exciting player to watch because it's not gonna steal a base and he's probably not gonna. Light up the building live with what he does on the field right I think he's the best player in the in the --"

" Red Sox fans are anxiously watching their designated hitter and number six hitter in the in the batting order. David Ortiz for some sign that things have begun to turn around do you see that."

" Well it was like this even hit in seven straight games and and obviously they'll all run the truth of the past people shot -- the want to center field work. Very very encouraging I thought he'd be getting real angry after he hit -- want. Which was a little bit -- I'm not sure what that meant my first reaction was. He must be getting close because he feels like after he hit a home run people like you should get to war in that game he got some pretty notable pitches. That that David will typically have destroyed -- freedom at this point at all of us following camp -- and it just kind steps that you created seven in a row. He yet you're not hitting 200 yet you haven't even hit four home runs but that have to be enough at this point is that to be encouraged. That poppy is on the way back there are -- W. You guys saw -- in the united the other night that was a plastic. People were peaceful -- like that was full extension is timing was beautiful pages crushed that ball in the bleachers in center field. Optic it has decided that he's probably back because I'm rooting for like everybody else. Because like everybody else I adore David Ortiz everything he's done for the organization. And he has deserved more than anybody else there's no question he's earned that right. That they have a little bit longer -- that the average guy because he's not an."

" You mentioned whispers with great players in. Every every player in the game today has to deal with that it is it's inevitable and David Ortiz. Has had some questions. Thrown his way about heads how you handle this. Dave as a broadcaster. And as a baseball fan."

" Vote to look for ways Mike I think that as a stand obviously the questions swirl around and might as -- IC players' performance fall off the face of the earth like that out. So rapidly or seemingly so rapidly this is actually bought model the last two or three seasons. When you know Red Sox charting the depth that is fly ball to. I believe that the other they eked out an aperture of what what the -- something like that are -- on a typical long fly ball over three years ago that that's pretty amazing today. But that could also be age you know he could beat he's he's still reluctant to really cut loose with the risk. That happened with Nomar as well bull market really got on top of the ball the way he did before the wrist injury. That could be epic I think there are so many potential reasons with beat. Why he's dropped that she can't really focus on any one thing. We all have art bought we all have our our ideas and in the whispers you know it included in things like how old is -- really respect kind of but I don't put any stock into it. Until really far deeper into the season and I I want to see in compile about. 300 at -- afford really -- for conclusion on what might happen. But it profit as a baseball and you're you're thinking is that as a baseball announcer or a guy covering the game. You really compelled to simply tell people what you see. And you know that is a writer he you know your columnist is one thing but I don't consider myself a columnist on the air necessarily. I have to tell you what I see and I see a guy and a -- that might be a lot of different reasons why it. And you know some of them are legitimate some of them may not be --"

" Terry Francona told us yesterday that -- Lowry. Is a smart guy he looks at the situation in the Red Sox have a short. And their might be a tendency and natural tendency to try to rush back in the lineup and Terry said it's their job to make sure he doesn't do that having said that it appears now that it's possible you could see him. As soon as the end of this month as opposed to the All-Star break. It would seem pretty clear that one of these guys is going to have to go one Lowery comes back and it looks as though it might be --"

" I think it would have to be. Read the actual what the last night after less than 25 and then -- in the lineup that. Nick Greene had shown that he can hit a fastball he can help you love offensively it took a -- prevention of the the first thing reliever wants to do particularly late in the game. Is -- establishes that he's gonna commit to try to do that and I like the idea really good fastball hitter like nick Greene could come off the pension. And deliver that and spelled -- if you know that that that -- begin to get sore yet he has had some issues with enemies. Not setbacks but it means that their -- does the heat on them and he's talked about that he's learned flight data file that scene is now what it means. And he felt a lot better obviously is getting very very very well Paula it's salt all the Red Sox problem I don't think anybody's looking to get Lowery like he thought he meant. War or Wal-Mart this scale he's he's not that kind of shortstop. And his visit that the school there that -- inevitably is going to be a utility man. He can play at second short third beacon. It really contribute for it but there's no question that Julio Lugo is going to be the odd man out Leo with britney's situation. I hear what he says about LP field. That he has -- a law you'd be able to steal a base where it used to be able if for some power. And his range was better and in its value for the Boston Red Sox is incredibly well."

" Isn't it pretty clear right now who Terry Francona feels as the shortstop every day."

" No doubt about it no doubt about it it's green and and it's going to be Joe Lowery went jet comes back in. And -- jet into a Red Sox are going to be in a spot where they have to go out and acquire the shortstop I think they're having those discussions right now. With a lot of different -- To see just see what there's somebody exploded J. J. Hardy the other day the fine Milwaukee shortstop although the brewers have played a little bit better than people think -- out a lot they would give them up there are a lot of choices out there. Could deprive this go from checked the -- at -- I think he probably could. You know here is age without question you can you can acquire Omar Vizquel. He show the other day and I'm sure you guys two because they'll pick you know even if it if spirited player of the metal. The 42 years all these in great shape and I'm not you know I'm not trying to bring Omar Vizquel here necessarily I think it Lowery deserves that chance. When he comes back that he had -- that job. In spring training he deserved the opportunity to play and see if he --"

" Instead when you go -- games nationally people ask you about Kevin Youkilis they're fascinated with them. Now he's changed his game how about Jason beta people taught you about him and wonder. What the contract status will be with the Red Sox can anticipating that this guy might be a free agent."

" Delegate that a lot particularly when I go to New York without the Red Sox it -- gave it Yankee Stadium or -- that that people in New York talk a lot of politics today and wondering if he is going to reside with the Red Sox and you know and that I have all these guys the same thing is if your Jason Bay why would view at this point. Even think about siding with one team is culpable as you are with the Red Sox. Obviously he's had a great time -- can play it as a chance to win a world championship as long -- these days and Boston. Why would -- entertain. Doing anything other than putting his services on the free agent market."

" your your right from a financial point of view there isn't a reason the only reason you do if your Jason Bay is because you're comfortable and you'll like it here."

" Yup and that that that goes so far and I agree with that Adam and -- you know for guys like us that means a lot and I think Jason is probably a lot like us to leave the family guy and he's got a couple -- You know it's it's the opportunity for him on it -- a huge scale to really capture and and an -- choice in where. He wants ago you know he delighted in Pittsburgh -- get traded to the Red Sox and and now he has the opportunity to pick and choose where he wants to go and and I think that that's always putrid athlete they don't get that many opportunities to do that -- said that. I want Jason date back I want to see Emmett -- if you don't want. For the rest of his career is an absolute -- upload period and the it team Manny Ramirez and so many ways. It was specifically you know he's right there with any anything any would be doing at this point for the Red Sox said he -- so. I'd go to guy -- this for a long long time and the rhetoric to resize them. But it is the most prudent thing for him to even think about returning the Red Sox right now when the creator of market has beckoning for."

" Two quick questions before we let you go. Tim Wakefield All-Star. And is this the best you've seen Josh Beckett."

" The best I've seen Josh Beckett and -- seven for shore. Without without a doubt the other night I thought. You know throwing what is effectively a changeup for and that two seamer because maybe he couldn't grip the -- all in the cold weather. I thought that was that was brilliant that was almost athletic genius in a way because. -- and I don't want overstated but AJ Burnett was trying to throw his curve ball in that bad weather. He couldn't grip it. The Red Sox figured that out before AJ Burnett that he couldn't get his curve ball in their patrols -- strikes and they just laid off that -- cut through everything else see through. And he was gone by the third and it. I think. Beckett the guy that at a higher level of understanding he probably figured out. Outlook pop a couple of purple all the luck going to get into the Drexel but there's -- receiver my fastball -- and everything else I can throw strikes and and eat -- eight those guys -- he he was incredible and Tim Wakefield All-Star absolutely I mean he's. If he wins twelve gains by the All-Star break let's say. How can you denied in his first -- start bid is -- really up until this point he's been a rock of this rotation. 42 years old it just amazes me what he's the last by the very -- and we've seen now some really about it from -- this is."

" He just that it isn't it amazing that he's never been an All-Star -- first signed with the Red Sox in 95. Got to an incredible start at eight wins and ERA well south of two and he still did make the All-Star --"

" it twice is 116 I believe it is seventeen games obviously a couple of years ago and and you know the people the voters are not -- all the pitching selections so. That surprised me that sometimes that the managers and the coaching staff to the American -- all thirteen. I have not looked at Tim Wakefield and you know maybe maybe there's a part of the -- well you know what it is it's really -- start everybody wants to see the young kids. But would -- be a wonderful. You know they're not in two weeks career but at the tailored to this career would appeal wonderful -- our -- to be elected they'll start it. He keeps pitching like this I I think it would be a crime knocked out that -- Obama."

" And I was going to make it clear those eight wins when the first half eight wins in the first half of the 95 season. And then he was there he was their best starter that was year they won them the division lost to Cleveland."

" Doubt any other people -- forget he actually close the wild Jimy Williams was was managing the Red Sox he's. He's you know perform just about every roll your candidate and a wonderful teammate -- Did just such a great guy for the Red Sox organization and he is very very deserving of that are certainly -- awake."

" David it's always fun to talk baseball with you thank UN -- out hopefully you get to watch baseball game tonight enjoy it."

" I hope so too Michael they'll thanks so much eclectic."

" Okay there thanks Dave O'Brien Red Sox play by play announcer joining us in the they'll holly leadoff spot gas of that spot. Receive a gift certificates of Fleming's prime steakhouse and wine bar. Not that Dave O'Brien would ever wanna enjoy an -- mile Fleming's steakhouse and one bar we did last year. Fleming's offers complimentary Mercedes-Benz to take you from dinner to the game in -- Call 617292080. Weight to reserve yours today."

" I just declare that complementary Mercedes-Benz -- sailor. I'll bring this back in the morning as one."

" I don't believe it works that way I just I take it might for you. As my table and then I don't believe that from normal folk that they have the opportunity I don't just say that."

" 9:30 PM right now. About 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. I bring a -- morning. Is that okay Ali vacuum before I bring it back no I don't I don't believe it to -- and -- I think the script does not clear enough that. Now I'm Amanda you know you got a privilege they heard as a compliment dealers and that's the case is -- night with the eyes of -- take my day gotten I'll bring it back in the morning Batman yes these part time with that."