I really hadn't thought about it. |
I really haven't looked enough to be able to tell you. But we have a pretty good core. |
I really liked what I saw from them. They threw strikes and did a good job. |
I really thought there in the eighth inning that was huge -- the way he went through the top of the order. Those are some pretty good hitters to get out there, 1-2-3. |
I really want here, at the start of the season, to make sure I get guys out on the field as quickly as we can. Those guys that we're counting on to be with us this season I really need to keep them sharp ... |
I respect the differences in people. I'm old school. If I hit a home run, I run the bases, shake the hands of my teammates and sit down. If I scored a touchdown in football, I'd give the ball to the referee. |
I said on the bench, 'If you're going to get your one hit, get it right now,' and he did. |
I said, 'You might only play once or twice a week.' I, in no way, shape or form gave him any indication that he'd be our every day second baseman. He knew coming in about what his situation would be. So far, he's handled it real well. |
I see a guy who cares about pitching. He asked questions and wants to help out. He can throw. If he hits at all, it's a huge plus. |
I see Wily Mo trying. |
I shouldn't speculate. But I sure wouldn't want to see him get hit in the head when he could be in a position to get a fourth [concussion] within a couple weeks. That would be ridiculous. |
I talked to these guys that last day (of last season) in St. Louis about coming to spring training in shape. The only way you do that is to take it seriously. I have no clue of what Josh Hancock did this winter. He might have run a marathon for all I know. He might have been throwing off the mound every day. But he was 17 pounds over his requested reporting weight. Can be a successful pitcher at 17 pounds more than he's asked to be? Maybe. But we looked at last year. He was on the disabled list for 133 games. We did not see the commitment we wanted to see. |
I think all of our players were excited to see that. If Wily Mo takes that same approach all year, he can be very successful. |
I think Eddie knows how big a year this one is. It's a chance to establish himself as a major-league player. |
I think everybody in baseball knows he's a good player. Playing in Tampa Bay like he did and then going to Seattle ... when you play in the same outfield with Ichiro (Suzuki), you're not going to be top dog, that's for sure. |