BLUE = COMMISH
BLACK = RED SOX
Welcome Mike, thanks for taking the time during these busiest days of spring
training to have a sit down with me.
Anything for you man, and the fans as well.
Ok, you knew this was coming so lets just get it out of the way now. Randy
Johnson for $70 million that you don't have, what where you thinking ?
Well Dave, to be honest I was thinking about one thing. Winning. I felt the big
fella was that extra arm in the rotation that was missing last season and I
don't like to repeat mistakes, and I don�t like to lose. Period.
About last season, you finished the regular season with the best record in
reality baseball and basically walked through the playoffs until the
controversy in the world series
Let me just cut you off there for a second Dave. I don't feel they were
controversial. The rules were stated and in plain sight I just failed to see
them. I take my hat off to the Mariners, they just outperformed us. No other
explanation necessary. We just didn't play up to potential and didn�t
deserve to win, but like I said previously I don't like to repeat mistakes.
Is that why you completely overhauled your roster for this upcoming season ?
I looked over our personnel in the offseason and saw some holes and weaknesses
that needed to be addressed and I attended to them as best I could without
affecting the core of this team. We added a little bit of youth with Pujols,
speed with Ichiro, dominance with Randy, and leadership with Bernie. The depth
is also much better, and hopefully everyone will know, accept, and succeed
within their roles with this ballclub.
In the preseason analysis you were picked to finish 2nd in your division, feel
like this is an accurate assessment or lack of respect ?
Well, here's my opinion on projections which should answer your question.
Projections are made by sports writers, sports fans, analysts, etc., they look
good on paper, and they're fun to speculate with. Everyone has their valid
points. When it comes down to it, they mean exactly diddly poo. Every team is
one injury away from a disastrous season and you just never know what can and
will happen. The standings and stats are decided on the field not in a meeting
of the elite sports minds. I hope that answered your question
Indeed! So where do you see your team finishing this season ?
Well, I would be lying if I said anything other than World Champions. I have high
expectations for this club, and the players share my feelings. Everyone in
Boston feels like this is the year, this is OUR year. I don't like to project
and predict but I can honestly tell you that every member of this organization
is ready for the championship run and barring injury I don't see anyone
stopping us. Call it arrogance, call it confidence, call it vanity, but at the
end of season everyone will be calling us champions.
Wow, bold prediction and strong words
I'm one hell of a motivational speaker, Dave. Just ask my girlfriend.
You've voiced your feelings on your team already, how about the rest of the
league ?
Well, you always have to respect the defending champions, nonetheless, two time
defending champions. Their pitching looks strong and the offense will put some
runs on the board. Same goes for the White Sox, although the health of Jim
Edmonds is key for them. The Astros and the Cubs look to be the two teams in the
NL that jump out at me. Each for a different reason. The Astros have quite a
potent offense, and the Cubs have too many arms if there is such a thing. The
competition is good towards the top and you should see at least 3 of these teams
with tickets to the postseason.
Alright Mike, time to have a little fun. You know I like to play word
association so I figured I'd give you a few and here they go...tell me when
you're ready.
Ready, Dave
Rival
The obvious choice is the Chicago Cubs but theres definitely some bad blood
between us and the contracted Oakland Athletics. We went 0-2 against them last
year and we'll never be able to even that out.
Overachiever
Chicago Cubs
Underachiever
Montreal Astros
David Wells
Whiny, overweight, alcoholic redneck on a team called the Yankees.
Ephedra
Silent killer that will cause more tragedies unless its banned and users
punished severly
Phil Nevin
Ouch !!
Jose Contreras
I repeat, Ouch !!
John Hamer
Brilliant general manager who I hope to see on the field in October.
Pete Rose
For Christ sake, let them put a plaque with a bronzed portrait of him and his
career stats in a big hollow hallway with other GREATS.
Big Unit or Little Unit
Big Unit!..I'm assuming you're talking about the pitchers.
Actually I wasn't
In that case Little Unit
Curse of the Bambino
I believe it was the curse of Ted Williams. The Red Sox haven't won a championship since 1918 and Teddy Ballgame was born in 1919. You do the math!.
Last one..$68.5 dollars
The debt I have to payoff after our championship season
Once again, thanks Mike for taking the time to share your thoughts with me and
good luck to you and your ballclub this season
Thanks Dave, good luck to you and your ballclub of toddlers as well. Its been
real, it's been fun, but it hasn't been real fun. But all is appreciated.