[• Management potential: Joe Girardi , the Yankees' bench coach, recently passed up a chance to gain his first managerial experience. Girardi declined the job of leading the Italian team in the World Baseball Classic, the 16-nation tournament in March.] It would have been a great opportunity, ... I just wish the timing was different. I don't think major league coaches can be part of this tournament because it could last the whole month of March, when we're in spring training. |
[The pitchers] need to carry out what we've given them. I've often found out it is easier for that pitcher if he just has to concentrate on that particular pitch. Don't worry about that next pitch. If you make this pitch, I know where I'm going with that next pitch. |
A big part of my job is making sure that these guys understand that they belong in the big leagues and they can do it. |
A big part of my job is making sure these guys understand they belong in the big leagues and they can do it. That's going to be my message, that just because you're young doesn't mean you can't play. I expect you to do it just like you did in Double-A and Triple-A. It's the next step up, but if you make your pitch it's a good pitch. |
A lot of it depends on how they all feel. It gives you some flexibility. |
A lot of small-market teams don't want to rebuild completely, and what happens [often] is you don't ever get to the peak, and you stay in the middle. I don't want to stay in the middle. A lot of these kids will turn out to be great players. |
Alfie, he can do some things with the bat. He gives us some different options at the top of the order. He played some center field in the minor leagues, he can play fly balls. |
All different. I've been blessed when it comes to managers. |
Andy Pettitte has won a lot of ball games and a lot of big games, too. Our guys were up for the task tonight. |
Anything is possible, but we pretty much have the 25-man roster. We probably won't announce it until we leave, in case something comes up. |
Anytime our shortstops want to drive in three runs in a game, that's fine with me. Andino had a big hit at the end. That three-run lead is a lot different than a two-run lead in that situation. They continue to both play very well. |
As a catcher I believe you manage every day you're on the field. |
As a catcher, I believe you manage every day you go on the field because you are an extension of the manager, |
As a catcher, I believe you manage every day you go on the field. You are an extension of the manager when you're out there. ... In a lot of instances I felt like [Torre] let me manage the game. He asked me questions, and I was allowed to speak up any time. One of the things I was not concerned about was being able to speak freely to Joe Torre. |
As a player, it?s you?re job to play when called upon. As a coach, I believe it?s your job to teach and to make suggestions. But now you have to sort through all those suggestions. It?s different. |