October 24, 2004
Tony Pre-Game Comments – La Russa and Womack Game 2
Reported by Brian Walton
La Russa comments:
On whether Sox roster is suitable for NL play:
Good question. Don’t see why they wouldn’t. If Ortiz was incapable of playing defense, it would be different.
On whether Game One was one of those nights:
Sometimes in conditions like that, the pitchers don’t have feel, then miss location. We walked a bunch and they walked almost as many. 20 runs scored and wind was blowing in. That isn’t supposed to happen.
On whether he will walk Ortiz like Bonds:
We identify the player who is dangerous in the situation. We don’t like telling our pitchers they aren’t good enough to get anyone out. Depends on the situation. Did it once yesterday to pitch to Millar.
On Womack:
Kept lineup open until spoke with Womack at the ballpark. He said he can go, so he is in there. Anderson was going be at second if Tony couldn’t go, so stayed in at DH. He has some success against Schilling in 10 at-bats. He has legs and handles bat and maybe will do something special.
On Game Three and Four starters:
Suppan will definitely go Tuesday and we think Marquis will pitch Game Four. But he is also on the relief list today because Haren is not available today. Marquis could probably pitch some today and start Game Four, too.
On Foulke:
Paid more attention to him because he played for the White Sox and A’s. Come a long way. High quality closer. Has a feel for pitching. Smart and capable of making pitches. Outstanding closer. At least two pitches he can get a batter out with.
On home/road split in playoffs:
Three losses in Houston was tough environment with hot club. Still had a chance to win all three. Also had a chance yesterday. Can win against anyone anywhere. Season success built on quality starts. Need to challenge starters to get deeper into games. They will respond.
On toughest moment in Game One:
(Had trouble choosing one.) Groundskeeper apologized for bad hop on Womack. Never happened before. Double play would have been nice for momentum. Popping up Scott and striking out Edmonds was tough. If had to pick one, based on amount of my cussing in dugout, it was the walk of Bellhorn by Calero in the seventh.
Womack comments:
On the bad hop and groundskeeper apology:
Can they erase the run, too? It happens. That’s baseball.
On collarbone and how he felt this morning:
Felt like hit by truck twice over. Very stiff. I am playing. Have all winter to heal. Not many chances to play in World Series. Not going to let it slow him down.
On hitting seventh in order:
Goal is to play. Batting seventh because of spasms. Prepare just like leading off. Can stay by the heater a little longer.
On treatment for spasms:
Done everything. Biggest thing mentally trying to stay strong, when get between lines, try to forget.
On the field conditions:
I saw the ball bounce. Could have been topspin or backspin. Was more disappointed than the run scored. Doesn’t take anything personally.
On whether first time getting hit in collarbone:
First time getting hit. First time getting back spasms in same season, too. Like stinger in football. Lost feeling in fingers for 5-10 minutes. Nerve pushed against bone.
On conditions in Boston:
Playing in World Series, nothing is tough. Forget about what you cannot control. 30 teams want to be there. Two teams left. No better place to be. Forget about obstacles. Could be my last Series. Will play as hard as I can.
