Ellis is locked in. A week ago, we couldn't find a hit, and now we're back to being comfortable about scoring runs. As good as our pitching is... our hitting will really dictate how we do. |
Gerald told me not to worry about spring. I could go 0-for-30 and still get ready for April. I didn't want to play catch up again. My timing was always off in April. When I watched video, the biggest difference was in April I was out in front of the ball, reaching for it. In August I let it get deeper and used my hands more. I just need my lower half for balance. My hands are good, my wrists are good and I have some pop. I need to allow then to work. |
He didn't hit the panic button. He wasn't putting the blame on anybody, wasn't pointing the finger at anyone. He told us we're gonna still come to the field and improve ourselves every day. He handled it the way a professional should handle it. |
He was O.K.. His stuff was a little flat. Watching the video, he was much better against New York. |
He was okay. His stuff was a little flat. ... Watching the video, he was much better against New York. |
He was throwing strikes with his off-speed pitches. That is fine the first few times through the order. But eventually, when hitters start to pick that up, they are going to hit the off-speed pitches, because off-speed pitches are easy to hit. |
He would be just the perfect fit for that job. |
He's a big-game pitcher. You can just tell. |
He's a big-game pitcher. You can tell he wants to be out there. He's got the stuff to go out and shut down a good team like that. |
He's a motivator, I've found. He's already come up and said, 'Eric, this is going to be your best year ever,' and he's always talking about getting your mind right for April 1. |
He's funny, he's completely opposite of everything that's been written about him. Obviously there have been some unfortunate situations with him, but coming into it I think everybody was open minded and there was no doubt in anybody's mind that he was going to have a good time here and he was going to get along with the guys. Since I've been here, there haven't been any jerks or bad personalities. |
He's going to be ready (for Opening Day). I've seen how good his swing looks, I don't think that was ever a question. It was just his foot and staying healthy. |
He's like Rich Harden, he could dominate in this league for a long time, if he wants to and he focuses. Some guys have the stuff to dominate, but Hernandez pitches, too. |
He's one of the best left-handed specialists in the league, and I've struggled against him. But he left a ball up, and I was able to get the barrel on it. |
He's raking. He's got that confident look in his eye again. |