[He talked the team's executives into letting him try to pitch out of the bullpen at year's end and then found himself on the playoff roster in place of young Brandon McCarthy, who pitched well the last month of the regular season after being called up in late August.] We took some heat for putting El Duque on the roster, but we had to go with our heads and not our heart, ... He told us he could do it. I don't know how old he is but he's got the mind and the body of a 25-year-old. He's been through this stuff before. He's been in big situations before. But I don't think he's ever been in [stuff] like this before. |
A lot of people had us dead before the division race was over. But our players didn't buy into that. |
After (Thursday), for sure, we'll have a course. |
Again, I wasn't there long, but you knew when (Martin) was in the room, who was in charge, |
Again, I'm concerned about a lot of things, being the pitching coach. Freddy being good wasn't one of them. I know Freddy is good. We all know what he could do. My main concern was the other day when he looked for that fastball, it wasn't there. But you know what? Maybe it just wasn't time. |
All I know is if my family isn't there, I'm not the same guy. And I don't have to throw a pitch. |
All of our guys have the ability if they are behind in the counts to go soft, |
Any time a pitching staff does well, I think the first thing you've got to look at is the defense and right along with that you've got to look at the catching. The catcher holds the brain. He's the guy that everybody is looking at to be the leader and take control of the game and keep that pace going. With A.J. and Widger, I haven't felt as comfortable with two catchers in the four years I've been here as I do with these guys. They remember the game plan and they carry it out. That's one of the reasons why we've had the kind of pitching staff we've had this year. |
As time goes, I think that is going to loom bigger and bigger -- not only in playoff history, but in White Sox history, |
As time goes, I think that is going to loom bigger and bigger ? not only in playoff history, but in White Sox history. |
Basically, we had to remake him. We worked on his delivery to speed him up and get him to hold runners better. He was also tipping his pitches. But most of all we needed to instill confidence in him. |
Because he threw like that in Cuba, Duque said, 'Hey, let's go back to being a Cuban pitcher,' |
But for what we accomplished one through 11 (on the pitching staff), they went beyond the call. We got 99 wins in the regular season, plus the AL Division Series and four complete games in the ALCS. I know we'll give it all our best in the World Series. |
Damaso still is a big part of this. We need everyone in this room. |
Even if you've had just five days off, with that crowd and a game of that magnitude, you're going to have a lot of energy. You have to harness it, and if you bring that energy to the glove, you have a chance to bring something really special to it. |