Francona was on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike this morning. Nothing too interesting, but here's a recap.
Asked about Sox high expectations -- he said it doesn't mean anything. They still have to play the games. He said he takes it as Theo has put together a great team and he has to blend them together to make it work.
Asked about the MFYs, the rivalry and who is the favorite in the AL East this year -- he stated he "will understand" the passion in the rivalry, but since he has not experienced it yet, he's doesn't fully appreciate it. Again he cited Theo as putting together a great team to compete against the MFYs. He also stated that this team is designed to play 162 games, against all opponents. He states the Orioles and Blue Jays are going to be good teams this year and the Sox need to be concerned about those teams as well. Angels too.
Asked about Petey and G38 re: Age and leadership -- He stated he is lucky to have two great pitchers. He states that it is up to them to be ready to 9 innings (and they are), but it is up to him to "take the ball away from them" when the time is right.
They ended the interview with some banter about the green St. Patty's day uniforms.
As I said, nothing earth shattering. Mike Greenberg is such a softball interviewer you can't expect much from him.
The "take the ball away from them" answer seems to be a direct "anti-Grady" line. If so, he better stick to it.
I initially questioned the "doesn't fully understand the MFY/Sox rivalry" answer, but then I figured he is right. He hasn't seen it, other than one ST game, in full force. He'll learn quickly.
Asked about Sox high expectations -- he said it doesn't mean anything. They still have to play the games. He said he takes it as Theo has put together a great team and he has to blend them together to make it work.
Asked about the MFYs, the rivalry and who is the favorite in the AL East this year -- he stated he "will understand" the passion in the rivalry, but since he has not experienced it yet, he's doesn't fully appreciate it. Again he cited Theo as putting together a great team to compete against the MFYs. He also stated that this team is designed to play 162 games, against all opponents. He states the Orioles and Blue Jays are going to be good teams this year and the Sox need to be concerned about those teams as well. Angels too.
Asked about Petey and G38 re: Age and leadership -- He stated he is lucky to have two great pitchers. He states that it is up to them to be ready to 9 innings (and they are), but it is up to him to "take the ball away from them" when the time is right.
They ended the interview with some banter about the green St. Patty's day uniforms.
As I said, nothing earth shattering. Mike Greenberg is such a softball interviewer you can't expect much from him.
The "take the ball away from them" answer seems to be a direct "anti-Grady" line. If so, he better stick to it.
I initially questioned the "doesn't fully understand the MFY/Sox rivalry" answer, but then I figured he is right. He hasn't seen it, other than one ST game, in full force. He'll learn quickly.
