Terry Francona, Red Sox Manager

" It's just afternoon on on Wednesday so you know what that means. It means we have some money on the line who's very excited to talk with joining us on the eighteenth the hotline. Is a manager of the Boston Red Sox Terry Francona. Terry is brought to you by Rockies ace hardware stores the sweet spot for all your home paint and larger projects. Rockies you're projects simplified. And by Emeka insurance is not just hard covered. It's how you treat it and finally. Last but not least by Bigelow tea which -- drinks every single day by himself. In the dugout looking out on to the beautiful Fenway on I don't you know."

" Michael appreciate your debit -- you are."

" Are now I mean last. I think you're drop in some some references to other things so this week about you but I'd give you value for another advertising --"

" In just sergeant Duncan -- security event there are really."

" right you know -- dells are here today your buddy Michael Felger alongside. And I wanted to ask you about last night's game because Tim Wakefield got ninth victory of the season. And I think I think stubborn hate this guy Tucker when the mother rotation to a three weeks ago he's gotten silence we're."

" Why IQ are you I I can't speak for Michael -- I want to teach what I don't understand that. -- It's a pretty good -- for a long time and you could look at the already you can look at a lot of things don't we do. But saying that. You digital over the left openers way to give it consistent innings for the most part again he's worn out of the end of the year. But. He's given us a lot and he continues to do that. And that'll help you could lineup five number one we're buddies Hillary's going to be 2.0 total war beltway at least dial. Sometimes you give up runs and sometimes it was not a bunch it is. But at the same time there's a lot of probably goes out there and six something we got to return to where Dave as he's trying to get there."

" You know I do find fascinating Terry about Wakefield I'm just curious about and maybe can help me and that is. When he's going good. Is he doing something or I mean I think a lot of people just look at knuckleballer and -- sometimes it does what it wants sometimes it doesn't and it's totally out of his hands. Org or not is there something Terry that he's going good he's. Gripping at a certain way rolling at a certain way is there something behind his good --"

" What can't be totally out of it they have I think it's totally -- it and slumming it. See you always the hardest things for us is is trying to help them. -- because it is a unique style which again certainly John Farrell didn't. Do got to the pitcher hardly anybody apparently suited to join and there's a lot of guys who patrolled local bald football like -- mean to build up. Survive in this -- not to survive thrive. You condemn an airport guys if you look at the Niekro Brothers your old Garland will -- Number in there Charlie -- there's not a lot of guys. -- way to has the uncanny ability to beat up pretty consistent starter -- And inconsistent an unconventional style. Last night you start out it'll Powell and strikes on the first an agreement to look kind of silly anyway on the second inning and had a tough time to find the -- the good news for us is he is able to real incredible support. And I think John Furl -- a great job of finding checkpoints. With wake. So they can realty and to gather and wait due to what you got there by himself."

" You know I mean against this typically they'll what is it like what does Furl element if he goes out there is not the -- that despite throwing."

" Solid not to -- the groups always going to be listening everywhere expert bill -- result but sometimes. If you noticed wait times to play can -- very cute and go anywhere from 11020181. Restart did not want Nate you can tell it's not so much to Reuters board about which you can tell he's trying to get more on the knuckle balled. So what he has his quicktime to play all the sort of slide step that we actually had his best local ball."

" Want to ask you about. John Smoltz and his place in your rotation. For now it appears that you have a six man rotation is that accurate sailors and."

" You don't like Michael there's been way more. Probably written about this I ever imagined what we're trying to do. He has made. Decisions and make good decisions not only based on today or tomorrow but on the rest of the year old small picture big picture. Talk to -- and Philadelphia. And had a really good conversation. We don't I think we all thought he was pretty good to start this week. We probably -- done that I don't think I think you'd been just fine but in talkin' to him. The more we talk like okay wait a minute is futile because we have enough pitching is good dispute your best interest. To maybe make it start. -- little short. Have a little bit of time off to get yourself -- Longley. All all legal counsel -- Like okay -- American war one don't we do this. And it just seem kinda easy. I didn't want to sort amount of stuff forward up through the weekend because our original with a little beat up and we actually had wake up in the bullpen so that could've changed to but it didn't so we waited to --"

" Does this mean anything's. Four Daisuke Matsuzaka for example does that mean. He's out of the rotation to -- mean anybody is now in the bullpen because smoltz is."

" For a there -- another hitting it. Get another big runners -- in -- respect for more picky about that game pilgrim by himself he does -- connect to rescue should go to back but it still really good yet they have to keep these guys it'll fresh. And certainly not work well police can be they can be good all year and were trying to keep on that is not an easy thing to do."

" talk about the rationale between sliding. Smoltz between Lester and Beckett and how that impacts your bullpen."

" Well we're trying to do is. Not ruled want to or strikes that were trying to bring guys back in the middle of your you know I don't think it's realistic that small is beautiful 130 purchases first -- it and we're certainly going to keep an -- on him. And try to build as opposed to help one outing giving them go backwards so we try to network tried to. Keep our bullpen. Again consistent all soul but maybe dole. To them early two nights in a -- sold. The guys that may give -- deepest or Lester Beckett so we have guys in between them it makes it a little bit easier to manage. The guys that haven't been gold what is long or we go again but -- is not a rule and our starters and they also not a roller ball at."

" Well -- speaking of that let's talk about Daisuke. A little more batters are hitting 372 against them they are getting very deep into games which is but it's stressing your bullpen. You see any. Progress. For Matsuzaka since he came up the deal."

" Well I think it last outing was very difficult to assess a very unfair. Can about a forty minute rain delay which if a budget proposal originally gave Knowles was very difficult. We came back got a bonus Carter actually had more. Velocity or more power behind it after that he left some original thought to be paid for. You know he's -- you know he's Arafat told Roger. We all talked about WBZ and what kind of shape which Zoellick became practical shoulder was already built for the long also -- and down. These views not -- it'll. I don't think he's happy with the way he's been so far. Now saying that and again -- we always try to make decisions deport him in the best light. But -- that would guidebook and tough times and I'm remarkably short -- one David Ortiz could not be here anymore. No we can't make decisions like that you're talking about a pitcher. Over the last -- years has won what 33. Regular season games pre post -- 36 games I don't care how you do a couple of games we can't just put guys on the shelf. When they run through a tough time I think are better way to go is to help fix some we've got discussion hard for a long time we want him to hopeless would gain."

" would want to keep you guessing we use that do the Mohegan Sun question toward the end but you know what. We're a little crazy. Right now time now for Mohegan -- lunch with -- today's question comes from Jerry fan -- from north Smithfield Rhode Island and go ahead Jerry."

" Eight get out thanks for taking my question. My question has what are your thoughts. Putting Daisuke in the bullpen. And -- release situations. At least until the situation would be accessed -- just. As a result may be giving him some confidence. Thing."

" Okay well my first thought was if we tell -- that were put a bit long relief in situations like. And -- just referred to best product of those comparable whole lot it's. The old there's there's a lot of things to think about people -- in the bullpen who comes probable that when you have to guide the bullpen. How does he react to open it'll it'll Daisuke. Is typically are got to pick the longest war -- That's the other -- Illegal about a good 4550. Minutes for the game. And rolled a lot so expect it'll work if you put accountable read any any hasn't pitched a lot through -- regular starters incapable or -- lot of -- and there's there's all I think a lot of things. To look at besides just the obvious which has been performance. Which we can't allow ourselves -- look past we've got an obligation. To try to keep this team. Going and then there's a lot of variables. And you we can't just get caught up in May be what the fans are what you guys get caught operative -- important decision to."

" Terry I'm curious about Jacoby Ellsbury and and and this one facet of his game that you hear a lot about the on base thing and that's. Part of the reason why maybe he's not leading off right now because those on base numbers are exactly where people want them to be but. And by the same token people expected to draw more walks really wanted to draw more watches lead -- guy but you also see pitchers throwing strikes so all. He's got to swing the bat he's got a swing at strikes is probably not gonna draw walks because pitchers don't want to put a lot because of the stolen base threat. So if you're Jacoby how you balance those two things how do you get those on base numbers up and tried -- walks when it was sort of strikes."

" sort of speaking for Jacoby girl but we will never told him to try and draw walks that's -- double or you can't do that. What he needs to do is his command the strike -- and swing at strikes which is what we really try to get our guys to do and like you just pointed out if they're going to try to problems don't look at them. Could -- good pitches and -- Get up and that's what he's doing right now there's only you don't leave a strike sold those types of things will work themselves out the views when it strikes you're probably going to get -- If you bowl if you put the ball go you're walks are probably going to go walk that's just kind of would give it. You don't just numbers are actually pretty good we just happened be blessed with a couple guys. At the topic ordered Dustin Pedroia and J. D. Drew up new -- they're almost tops in the league level -- team. On on base percentage -- want to take advantage of that the same time when we will melt down. We -- behind long a lot of -- where it gives Mikey some protection can obviously in the back good and we can turn him loose on the base was more. But the bottom of the order coming up whether you give us a couple different ways to use our guys strikes."

" He saw last night very aggressive against -- that early in that game just scouting report that he has slowed the plate and that gave. Jacoby a green -- light if you will or does he always have that."

" No you can't have a guy would -- typo but he's doing ability and not have much agree like double. You could you you have to hold their very intelligent when they run which -- children. Great amount of in the short time was young Clark actually bold -- times were good -- Jacoby -- ran -- economic beatle Paul Crawford did that dust particularly spend approximately time were actually pretty good and the -- was repulsed the just -- this situation world almost particular discussion running with competence and it'll gridlock brought about."

" We all made a big deal of David Ortiz this trip to the optometrists and so I drops you think that has made the difference you know or is it just a matter of Ortiz getting into -- group."

" I think he's really didn't -- groups that have been we've been trying to remind him. Is outlook two batting average incomes you know he's out there are questions are respect. What he did. The first two months believed unfortunately outlook -- Q batting average for probably awhile but it doesn't mean right now is not a very dangerous hitter. -- to cover some balls he hit the ball left field to pull all right fielder drove all sort of field. And sometimes you just need a little groups good fortune maybe get a ground ball yesterday. Where teams played differently -- how many times -- David tech realm all the took Neitzel routine out shortstop yesterday the way they're played him it's a it's an RBI and two RBI single. So getting if you keep your consistently put the bat on the ball. You're gonna end up -- gets to -- line out. Also of the lucky to adopt a sports stimulus."

" In your job and and David Ortiz -- job you have to have. Six -- because you're constantly under the microscope. And and you can't just take everything that people say about the heart -- that said in this era of baseball. There's so many whispers. About performance enhancing drugs. So many whispers about guys who have declining performance he never had any conversations with David about that because in today's climate you're not allowed to just get old. Or not allowed to struggle there's got to be something sinister plot together we talk about that."

" Well again David not talked a lot of things and some of those I think would be. Very very disrespectful read a gold talked to David and then go talk radio and I think you go to probably understand that I do understand your point. I think in this day and age. You'll know what happened baseball. I guess by an -- some guys have been accused of doing it brings some guys have been I just prove guilt you don't have things I don't think as a media person. I would hope you would have an obligation. To -- in use say something like that helps improve. Again that that's just the way I feel obviously people -- like that I think that's an area where. A player can't defend being innocent being legitimate. You know that -- that's a -- I think it is going to be solemn. Some judgment there that I don't think there's always used either and just what point will try to defended to a belief in David I think he's got a horrible to once and electric it's gonna -- a lot better. And I don't -- as a person and a terrible audible as a person and I would defendant."

" It's that it's a tough spot because that's that presumption of innocence armed. Criteria that you want Terry but some people think these Major League players don't deserve it after what's gone on."

" Blog and much blood in my port that visit I think they're wrong. Anybody has the right. And again what is happening baseball seems to me. It was more every problem. In the past and we're praying for that now because we didn't attempt to -- quick about or didn't old problem. You don't now. Again -- There's pretty good testing and fault these guys detestable lot and it's glued. So it'll perception out there that -- it's just it's just the way it is however people perceive things. Mean he also -- and again I don't want political football portal well settle my tent but. Don't you you'd you'd just it's just a different view point from fans and media for baseball put -- understand."

" Oh there's no doubt about it yards of total double standard -- the one we've talked about a lot is Rodney Harrison mean he is. He was a guy who was you know brought up but as part of a drug ring you could throw the last couple years of his career -- doubt with HGH. And knowing imagine that in fact the minute he retires it's a national television job and in baseball I don't think had to baseball players are going to get the same --"

" Login -- that that maybe true I don't wanna. I don't want to present brought her successful world. -- but I agree with that double standard and I think at least be some consistency there I just think what you're pointing out they don't -- somebody might have done you'd better be. Beat you but what's your name on it and be -- sure that that's correct things."

" It's -- to say publicly how I wonder about this because I I was -- the the series I don't know if you remember this than it was 94 when. Albert bell had a cork bat in one of his teammates. Broke into the White Sox clubhouse you're actually you're a member of the whites --"

" Yes I'm sure AMBER --"

" So how can I covered that series and our member Gene Lamont was managing thought that the times saying. You know I I was curious because I saw him hit a ball that -- just not supposed to. It has of a longtime baseball guys see it in half what they had you ever say that mean in privately."

" Yet you'll Michael and vote -- Arctic but that isn't a bullet point destroyed you know with each other -- hours date. For me to say somebody had to get a bomb on him up -- don't know for what your view that always happens. -- guys get the picture sometimes how to keep it up pitch. You know I mean the part -- without a bell. You don't want it in it what it's all said and done. I don't mistreat people pork in his blood out army you don't want to. Albert but I saw Albert Belle hit some balls I don't care local ball back. I mean this guy can flat out hit and -- apparel took not a lot of people period. You know I saw Sammy also break -- baton it'll -- quirky about or whatever in there and everybody went crazy but if you go back. -- The big guys used to. -- but rather you'll spit balls and -- in polls and and I think some of that people almost in Julien baseball. Mean everybody's trying to steal sign of their adult. -- I'm slipping the global launch and we need to keep track of that but somebody at. -- that's just it's a little bit per use."

" To think it's good for the game or bad for the game that Sammy Sosa's name comes out. What 67 years after the fact."

" I don't know how to commonality so much to talk about."

" That listed the while there's a report out that you economists that that he was one of those that tested positive in that anonymous quote unquote anonymous. All three round of testing -- gets."

" Even told that I'm a little innocent people comic but admitted I don't hold -- but what I hear anonymous that makes you want to curl up. A bit good -- I mean I know that what will happen in baseball bat I mean to steroids it should never tried to defend public like that are almost -- to -- a most about it I -- stellar -- and I'd love what I say or steps not correct but I think it's horrible. That some potential reward is more -- or don't they just adorable."

" It's it is this Terry do you think gay a dark cloud that's approaching in terms of that'll realists that according to Major League Baseball supposed to be anonymous supposed to be confidential you're seeing names -- off that list now. And you think that that is that -- that we got a problem coming up at --"

" I don't know I don't understand up -- to be anonymous. We were told not to. -- it was supposed to be there were trying to clean up the game they were not trying to -- names W idea behind it. An and morals on people start speaking about Obama mostly. That was not in agreement whether right or wrong or between W agreement that they got to Tom. That's of people won't back on the war toward us aren't."

" it is scary and and you really going to want to throw up if a journalist. Gets his or her hands on that list I don't know Selena Roberts actually has a list or somebody taller A-Rod name. It's a journalist gets his -- her hands on it it's going to be all 10304. Is gonna come out."

" And go to Oregon oh yeah I don't know I don't spend I can't -- it spent a lot of time thinking about that again what's happened in the past. With baseball because they've tried to I think almost desperately to make it right but you can't un do. What happened and at some point will we get through this all we better for our game governor David great anyway but so oodles of ridiculous. It'll just we'd have to figure out -- to to to make our game better I think they're doing that ballot to get done that. We just -- mistakes were made long time ago."

" Four let's go -- ask you this. There's John Henry ever send you any tweaks its -- Twitter with you by."

" I gotta tell you are good -- Some company with the media general was Michael silver -- somebody whispering. Some -- to pick tonight and I eighty. Quote you on your Twitter. And I and I laugh when -- don't -- I'd wanna put one included a picture of border barked. I called Michael and Michael what can. We talk about these wildly you'd you have a Twitter day get your pocket ability to actually had to have a shut down because obviously want to maybe. And it may be a little easy. -- all I can't I don't I don't know I don't what are."

" brought to you by Iraqis as our restores the sweet spot brought her home -- larger projects Rockies are projects that would like. Any concerns that collier covered -- treated and by Bigelow tea which he's going to drink right now."

" Michael job."

" Ever braves selected. -- electric you don't question Jerry Shattuck has won an overnight stay at Mohegan -- a pair of tickets to see Aerosmith due to what a nice job -- At the Mohegan Sun arena and has now entered the way and embassies in grand prize which is much. You know dale -- show. That the bill -- WEEI. Dot com. Submit your question for Terry my computer was brought to you by Mohegan Sun. What gets on what a world apply thank you -- show sponsored by I put -- this are right there."