[0:00]" It is our number two Dennis and Callahan only free form Friday and Roger every time Mike Lucas joins us on the radio program I'm faced with the same. Question due to introduce Mike. Now we're just days the president ran outside the big field. In and bookstore -- it's like Amazon right do along hasn't caused an elbow Daniel go to all the nationally syndicated columnist for the new York daily news use the regular on ESPN's sports reporters and is the author of 9000 books including I believe this is new -- fifth young person sports book a best selling travel team eat dirt 140 ninth streets have a ball on the new what is called. Bob big field of pride to be shipped Kuerten and BC yes and a and a plus two handicap. But could join us on the ball lines hello Michael."

[0:51]" Yeah plus two and they can -- it. I played nine good call the Super Bowl want -- for -- does not feeling good about myself get a lot of guys are you out very well thank you I usually am there with few but I'm about to have optic California for about. Ten days it's no big -- this is a rare. -- this is -- on the telephone if I was up there last weekend in Atlanta heartbroken after what did you. -- Tyrese Rice led 34 -- Carolina -- in the first capital -- dream in my school -- about that Carolina but it didn't work."

[1:26]" Don't you just love that flex offense that al Skinner runs the most interest in coffins to watch in the world Mike."

[1:31]" I like -- a -- worry about it and they've got some very good athletic big. For next year and apparently is around without it is and the reason that they that he -- we will be right back if you --"

[1:45]" I'm pat mopping imam bad mouthing his boring offense hum it hurt -- as -- didn't shoot lights out are speaking of sticking around. Will Brett -- play another game in the National Football League."

[1:58]" Let you know I certainly not an emphatic yesterday that that you'll -- don't -- Teenager in the it was a huge threats are and then we actually took him. Of the giants Packers game and it was pretty rocked by this if you watch. And listening in yesterday it is on the line. Is it took all he had to get back from last season and I you know -- tonight. I would big stars in sports that the we've had this conversation. Four I believe everything they do it hardly anything of what they -- it and -- good throughout my career but it seemed pretty -- that it does come back out a he's completely and it is that going to root."

[2:45]" I think he. Kept repeating like that he -- I don't Jerry. And and you know he just doesn't have the the hunger right now but I don't think I want to aunt and another thing he says he's not going to do anything I don't think he's gonna like find his niche in in TV like Boomer Esiason and or coach or go in the business -- red carpet in. I think he's still going to be thinkin' about playing at this time next year and maybe -- for someone else let me play for your buddy Bill Parcells."

[3:16]" Oh down in Miami. I'd I think I've but he should draft -- like this is all busting out but to put it. I think you gotta take good hard look at that it -- I think he's the real deal."

[3:28]" You know we asked earlier in the show when is Roger Clemens gonna catch a break as every day is new revelation. And every day Groundhog Day is gets exposed a little more and I guess would duplicate taken and his the Macphail does -- a break. You and your newspaper and as well as the New York Times and and others have been on him. And I I think the problem is that it just Brian McNamee now elements."

[3:55]" No and Kerry and -- From the start from the very start of sixty minutes on had been right about that and he has acted as yet. It's just his word against -- and and you know over the -- and you're allowed to thank but he countered okay I'm not. You're absolutely you're -- any -- is allowed to think about it but he's the idea that it he'd get this stuff there's only in the back in the in maybe. You know the long suffering Debbie Clemens who knows. There's been preposterous as it always has circle. The Lion -- circle like what the circle of steroids it's never just that. He's been getting it from somewhere it's often go to these gents that's why I'm in the daily news has been -- or out. Front and most of this story and I talked to a defense lawyer."

[4:45]" In New York a very good for commonwealth last Sunday he. Firmly believe is going to jail and should try to make good deal with the government now because -- hit the government gets crappy they get crappy particular thing. One is if you -- And they totally ecstatic about it if you make them go through the expense and the time and and that and and they you know that that grunt work. Of investigation and that say well you know on our act I couldn't stop this -- the starts so let's make it feel that. Neither of these people involved in these cases everything you're gonna go to jail without Michael Vick I'm sure until he heard the -- didn't think he was going to -- to you know. Marion Jones you know even I which stood up crying on the courthouse steps like what it was like it hadn't sucked in his pitching was go to jail they never pick it's gonna happen the damn and then when it does that yet another shot."

[5:36]" You know of all the chilling things that Roger Clemens has heard in the last two and a half months Michael -- I would have to believe that that. Probably near the top of that list as the fact that special IRS agent Jeff Nowitzki is now sniffing around in his backyard of Houston and they found a gym where. HGH has been sold and a relationship between Clemens and the gym owner when Nowitzki shows up in your backyard and sort of look at under your back porch you're really in some serious trouble now."

[6:03]" Yeah I mean we've we've. I'm not quite sure what to make it. We've been aware of -- improved -- to. On the date yet you know and then there was the other GM where where you know the -- who apparently getting their stuff if you look at -- as a that they figured. In this because. I am not sure he'd say hacked a lot more and it -- the ride judges had better lawyering at a more artful PR strategy and and you know from the very start. Everybody is sort of reacting -- Chinese. That -- that the watershed moment. At all this was McGwire's testimony on the cars are relentless advocate of -- everything. That it happened with these big stars because even though we're quite did not admit to taking drugs. Everybody ticket is is Barbara says that the fourth and it happened that apparent that he was it was a tacit admission that he taken. And and ever since then that nobody will say what I believe Clement could have that and it's a variation of what -- set which is that. There were no law against baseball tested and I've made a terrible mistake. I got frustrated facing a budget hitters I -- were on the stuff -- limited period of time which by the way guys fought about it outside this you know the limits of the statute of limitations that we democratic prosecuted. And the flyers that immediate effect he wasn't a target of Campbell criminal probe. Because in the Mitchell report he's made himself. A target of a criminal -- He wouldn't cop to that because why because the -- like he's told I don't give a rats you know what about the whole thing this is all about --"

[7:35]" I I I've made this one all the time like that I used to. Think he was a decent guy a minute I spent some time with -- and I thought it was a good guy not Ernesto mean oftentimes we don't know I don't mind if I knew him but he seemed a lot of charities that. At a good and we looked so all. And now find them out not just that he was doing drugs but that he's it is a bad guys have bad character. Who is blamed everyone including his mother and his wife or his troubles."

[8:02]" he threw -- hit and -- with agents after the I mean it would sell. -- it -- that's because you know he's worked in the respect that as being in that room that being in that hearing. Is really it's what most dramatic thing I've ever think to beat literally twenty feet away from -- and backed in the airport -- you look for from. But -- from George Mitchell out why I said -- That as a joke that the worst she'd ever ever say that the worse yet the word -- and anything ever receive it. Is that the only one I've ever had worked as a middle -- long -- wants you know. The great Q what outback has people. But it was so dramatic I -- I was in the room when the whole Manny came you know -- was it was revealed you know that the gotcha moment. About this and and it's it's so dramatic because he at present. This was just like he wanted. This was testimony you know they were willing to just issue report that no I need my game court it's spend the most astonishingly bad. And reckless piece of lawyering I've ever seen. By the got resting heart and you can say what Roger is the one has direct. Oh boy your first job. Is to protect his client from himself that he has clearly not -- this and I am -- I don't think that this is all the bad news is going to be on the got Marco."

[9:23]" You know Mike that you you may have a very good point there is the most amazing thing in this entire process and the Mitchell report came out. Nobody is a pitching analogy here -- can for all the Roger Clemens money in his availability to to hire the right people Roger Clemens and his legal team have yet to throw a strike I mean they haven't gotten anybody out we can think of one. Positive now that Harden this attorney any of this team has done correctly to say all. There's there's there's a a plus for Roger Clemens you'll Giuliani ran a better campaign now."

[9:55]" You're you're you're you're you're so what would I would first writing mystery novel I was talking to a -- And doing a little richter one -- and I said it so and so does that that many had to talk to the cup and it got its stop right there. You know talk to -- it would mean he said that any lawyer who -- is quiet talk to the cup voluntarily is stupid. And end and I said oh I didn't know that it's not a part of the cops but that you elect to talk to the and and he has he shouldn't shut it down right away is that. It's not true I'm not going to spend my time -- it but again it's informed by the McGwire thing. It was not going to be acquire it was going to take this thing head on I. That that the night he went on sixty minutes I went that with Richard Emery has won and watch the show with with with -- and won -- Mac and these guys. And and he kept saying. And end up in congress and then he's going to go to jail I -- he was calling it back and it because -- bullseye on his back that."

[10:58]" Mike how do you think -- will hold up."

[11:01]" I I I think it can be very difficult is important and outside of again I -- of that -- added that a guy is -- to bet against Terry susceptible war. That we at the end of the that we really don't know these guys with. We note that we know the person that they want to -- that they that you know but there are exceptions that obvious that made some great friendships in. Sport sport. But ultimately most of these six starts is that there's that is Clement that they want to and visit -- that they want to now. And best thing that I keep hearing about what Clement and it's going around. Spring training taking writers and broadcasters but it can't look at him in the ninth inning and so Soriano and that led to walk. That's trying to wait to -- you know. -- you know -- is that you know those strikes in the can win games and Andy and I I think he wants people to feel bad for them. And against it I believe his version of what he hurt the club down in this -- from this remembered anything. But this idea that Andy -- like. Into the separate occasions used -- like the one or two days is a preposterous version of it would be like taking antibiotics for the little taking that ten they cycle the back because it -- For one day I think oh I've put thought."

[12:22]" Much better. In my turning up more toward baseball away from Roger in the steroids if if only one manager named Joe. -- his team into the playoffs in the post season this year would be Torre or Girardi."

[12:35]" Oh man. Accurate a lot of -- the I think -- You know and never count that the net net that they're gonna score so many lines -- I know of the teams that score like that don't when you know that and ultimately dealt with at all. It I this may be very is that suggestion in. And and it's then it's subtle and not -- settled that this may be the bridge here for the Yankees that this is this is 2006. For the -- You know out the year that gets you to -- and and I think uses the real idea I accuses the real deal. And I think that. In Kennedy at him in my might be a very it's just think that you but I don't think mussina got much left in the tank I can't tell you. Cup had -- going to pitch because he's going to kick -- as every or five days for the whole series. And an outside of that I think long was exposed the world that I think he's in good regular season pitcher but they have not picked up the guy. If everybody in baseball want. And and I have said that on your show and I doubt that righted all the time the single most valuable pitching prospect. -- prospect. Property in the game. Is Josh Beckett is the guy that everybody wants. And and and it wasn't -- game. You know five against the Indians that I thought you know thought last year and that September series. Would it let's fact it had been nightmare lost with Papelbon and Okajima the night reported yet. Over the gave up like six to seven run it's just imploded in front of our. The next day -- Does what he does which is he -- up there in the first inning also applaud that if this I'm going to throw this really hard for the next three hours to sell. See if you can hit it. And and there was no momentum there was no carry over there was just camp. And I -- that this was some -- is that what was the last time you can remember a team was 31 down. In the American league championship series. And you just you -- was going to go to game six because you have no but your mind that back it was going to lose that game in -- Yankees don't have that."

[14:41]" We know Torre was the best that keep in his view that the brush fires to a minimum how how will Girardi be at that Howell. Girardi be when you know -- under the gun when A rod -- and and A-Rod moment do you think you'll have the and a even keel and composure that Torre had that seemed to spread throughout that close."

[15:03]" A US -- is going to have the grub it out there yeah. You don't go -- in the -- You don't now it's like Parcells. Always said about quarterback. You don't know what you have with the quarterback -- eighteen lost three games in a well. And the whole state of this agreement for your head and then you've got a -- when again veteran I don't look at a cornerback. It's kind of the same thing about Girardi I think. I think he's very good I think being in the media -- is helped him I think watching Joe has helped them but but until. Somebody write something the you don't like to visit back -- you'd think it's totally out of line it is a move until the second guessing you. 247 on the radio we don't know that we don't know because Torre it was a rare guy on the -- some. Torre would get you know get in an up -- about stopped him that he didn't you know -- Member is in Atlanta remember what the back ageless but that's about Giambi Lester they would -- Iraq Iraq. It intercepted you know and he gave it to journalism lecture you know after and that guy had been treated better than anybody in the history of the human race and they'll give you journalism lecture watched alot so I can't tell us how you're going to."

[16:15]" would tell tell me how. The new Glaus is going to be we know he went round and round when daddy Steinbrenner. We just getting to know hank is it going to be as eventful the next 2030 years with Hackett judge."

[16:27]" I don't think -- you know you know on my opinion is. On the ambulance up to thirty years I'm not sure at this stage there's baseball in the going to be in the -- whoever. Once in a church members and I really I can't tell you that. You know hankins capped flirtation with the Yankees before and and fade away that he he says he's in it for the long ball I think. The quieter brother is more likely to be around the -- Now and I think -- style is much more conducive to Brian Cashman. Doing his work that thing that bothered me the most about an extra work how about this week. If you want to side still has antennae could overrule Cashman signed is blocked attacked. Spent a record amount of money this he spent like 400 million dollars over the off season. It's not like he could have spent more and all of a sudden it's my united he's separated himself from his -- you know it -- is baseball people. But they're not there all part of the same thing and I I hated the way he can't let Cashman hang out there. You know if Santana is great offense it is going to be great for the -- you know. And and so I I. I that the second guessing -- Is obviously very powerful as -- then got stuck."

[17:44]" If a Bible Barry Bonds find work."

[17:47]" I'm not sure he well I'm not sure he will. I think he's kind of toxic right now I mean it is the budget guys that want to go to the western names did you get. Accused of of of Lleyton eight in the which aren't even -- I've always said about the steroid thing about which is that the which has been real you know out of sent but I think it has a lot of guys were just untouchable now. And I think it's going to be. If it's believed that there weren't -- Drayton McLane has Sapp like that out there nobody would even that suggests that the climate going to -- this year nobody else but I Roger Clemens to pitch."

[18:20]" Do you pick a pitch because I didn't think so until he put on that audition for for Tim Kirch and and the cameras in in in in Astros camp some. I mean I don't know that he can let go even the sage."

[18:33]" my -- his way of the other real. That would be the real cowboy up -- that was -- and everybody at target test me every day out well you know that it it is it would be aware of for him to come back and pitched well -- you know what it would be a great way to change the subject."

[18:50]" I -- change the subject before we get to the the book of one of the art that's very -- Canada very nicely done my but I what other sports question does not baseball basketball and -- asked to do the impossible Anita yes sure null and a one sentence answer. Will LeBron James ever play for the New York -- bunkers out real."

[19:10]" And I now I don't excite I actually pick LeBron. Is that the conversational like kids you know a lot more about this stuff that I did and that the I think he's kind of going to stay where he is -- Of course but got a court who wouldn't want to come in the next. Who know really who wouldn't want to come and have -- coaches now that's he won in ninety still and and 22 and 58 -- beat the favorite kind tactics. Extension when they were in the eighth spot for twenty minutes last march. It's the most is that the biggest joke in sports -- at least the -- but the early sixties they were loveable losers. These guys -- just a punch line they had been number one punchline. In all of professional sports that aspect about this idea that they feel like typical world vote favors the ratings get regular --"

[20:02]" You know it's funny we always match in the Clemens has no defenders I mean literally get up in the morning you get on sports pages that you what she is there's no one defending him. I said Thomas doesn't even think well there's -- Other than Olivia who is on -- side in this thing."

[20:18]" No what and it's it's -- wouldn't -- delivered a world where if you don't like the question you just go stand in the -- just walk -- arbitrators -- If you don't like the question now that's the end of the interview and this suffocating picked up. Active gardens PR strategy and boy that's working good as -- net Mike got its it's it is that they only make headlines when it's negative and they're always interesting when somebody like LeBron and."

[20:44]" All right Mike -- let's at last count I believe the big field as your fifth young -- sport seventh. What did it again."

[20:51]" Five they've been five quiet book and and the comeback kid hearing all right right right. Which we got the numbers on them so unbelievably well and and and bit the big field which is my first baseball book. It's -- which was the best. Selling book -- ever had out of all of them in the ball that amazingly well where we're -- it just in three days is the best. Three days the reports were getting all right and that's something about baseball and it's something about the time of the year guys and in this business story. This ultimately even though it's kind of got a nice Jeter A rod that's where. Cute shortstop only one of them can play and and the hero of the book have to move over to second base. This is a book about fathers and sons and parents and children and and and and the point I make is that when you can't talk your kids about anything else. It's best if you're -- you've always got sport there's always that the common language that gets you through anything. And much in this book and is that is that failed ballplayer have lost that because the father has just been. Himself from the boys American -- cricket doesn't want baseball to break his -- art. The way it did it and it it is for all of this stuff that happens in this book and it's it's really good story about. Some kids imported trying to win the American league championship. It's about the father in the sense slowly and trying to find their way back to each other across visit the 250 pages and whatever it is well."

[22:22]" Woods doing so well three days why are you going to California for ten."

[22:25]" I because you know they -- they around the country and battle like at that they -- The children -- look at it and you a tale what we'll do okay. In the ball the course at the bottom of the book coming out and I would schedule his older we will make a deal that you'll go with -- a lot of these. School I had one in Wellfleet last year like 700 -- a tournament like rock concert -- the coolest thing about these. And that is now move -- up on five years of writing. Is how much it's still -- really wouldn't. -- videotape a room and and the dish and cable TV at a million games and millions and I I think all the stuff. To find out the kids love to read the way we loved to read what we did not have close. Distraction as bad as it's -- and it's -- almost as shocking and wonderful thing."

[23:24]" So when you walk into the middle schools like Hannah Montana -- but obviously it is."

[23:28]" And and and I start out by telling them just what I told you I -- before we start today I have to say it very sad story about I was born. In in it's it's required. -- there was no yes PF in the -- got -- although the and then I ratcheted up no instant messaging and they thought that by the time I get there might litany of things. They're off scream and and I say. And you know what that that I had to. And if you're -- that means you want to read and that's something that is never changed everybody still look good. Story and believe -- JK Rollins about the much greater numbers -- side but you know what it's been pretty."

[24:14]" Well have you liked the first seven if you loved the first seven you'll -- the big field by Mike -- Boca available mouth -- three days direct."

[24:22]" You know -- up -- three days and in nine even though you don't give away the night and sent instead of the way and then you know worry about. The fact if you don't actually happened big giveaway later."

[24:31]" It's not that might -- author of the big field check it out to bookstore -- Mike thanks for the time good docket yet. It's a double California back out at tech and Doug on the road Michael look at with a --"