That's not bad for someone who came to spring training not guaranteed a job. |
That's not really my intention. I have a very good job. |
That's not something you ever assume will be the case. But at the same time, when someone like (Izturis) starts telling you something's wrong, you pay attention to it. |
That's the difference between Oliver Perez on Opening Day and Oliver Perez in Cincinnati. He was pitching uphill. |
That's the plan right now. But until we see how the leg responds in game-type situations, there is nothing that is completely certain. But there has to be a plan. And for the time being, that is the plan. |
That's what you hope for. They both did exactly what I wanted them to do, probably what they wanted to do, too. |
That's why you come to the ballpark every night. |
the (player) personnel factor and the evaluation of those players. |
The allure, for me, was, No. 1, the stability of the front office. The other thing was looking at a group of players I'd managed against the past couple of years and realizing there's some terrific young talent here and asking myself the question 'Why can't it be better than it has been? |
the attention span is a bit greater when he does speak to something. |
The best way to approach a player with his type of ability and talent is to feel like you've developed a type of environment to allow his development to continue on its natural course. With what we have done this winter, we have put this young man in a position to where his natural progression as a Major League Baseball player has a genuine opportunity to take place without heaping any unexpected expectations on him. |
The biggest thing is to get him back completely functional versus seeing parts of him, parts of him there. With what I was hearing medically Friday and Saturday, it didn't make any sense to try to push it. |
The Cardinals are a tremendous model, |
The Cardinals are a tremendous model, ... They're interesting for this reason -- they can kill you with the long ball. But what takes place with that club in between that long one being hit is what's most damaging about them. |
The challenge is something I like very much, ... I take a lot of pride in people saying this is a situation where you don't have a chance to succeed. I'm really challenged by that. |