It's not as though they can say we've done a lot of testing without the beacon. |
It's so unique. Wilson Park is just such a gem. It's in a convenient location. |
It's still a game and you'd rather win it than lose it. |
It's tough to go to center [field]. We didn't have many guys go to center. We had some guys go down the lines, take it to the alleys, but for the most part it's a big ballpark and you have to play accordingly. |
It's tough without any at-bats to go up there and expect to see the ball well. You're cold, you took batting practice hours ago. Not only is there a lot of pressure, but you're usually facing one of the better guys out of the bullpen, a specialist they're bringing in. |
It's way too early for that. |
Just because we started 8-2, that means nothing come September. But I think if you ask anybody in here, we're pretty satisfied with how the first 10 games have gone. We've got to keep at it. The winning teams seem to never fall into that mode where you lose a couple in a row. They find a way to bounce back and that's what they need to do. |
Just the way we like it. |
Last year we started off pretty horrible and this year we're off to a good start. If this was a football season we'd be sitting pretty right now, but in baseball, we have a long way to go. |
Look, I started off batting seventh last year, so to me it was great that Willie started trusting me, moving me up a little at a time. People tell me all the time, 'You should be ticked off where you're hitting.' But I'm not, not at all. |
My favorite player growing up was Cal Ripken Jr.. To play that many consecutive games, he played hurt a lot. I loved that about him. That's the kind of guy I want on my team. That's the kind of guy I want to go to battle with. |
My favorite player growing up was Cal Ripken Jr.. To play that many consecutive games, he played hurt a lot. I loved that about him. You know he wasn't going out there at 100 percent and I'm sure his numbers were hurt by that. But that's the kind of guy I want on my team. That's the kind of guy I want to go to battle with, the kind of guy that wants to be out there every day. |
No one's going to be selfish. Not this year. We can have a special year with all the talent we have here. |
Not yet. But bring it on. He's probably playing for quarters. If he wants to play a real game, he can come see me. |
Now we have to prove to ourselves and the rest of baseball that we can win on the road. |