I was in uniform [as a Pirate] the last time we had a winning season. Nobody loses more sleep over that than me. For us to continue to improve, we need our young players to grow up fast. Most places you can get your feet wet a little, but here you've got to dive right in. |
I was with the club for 15 years. Obviously, there are some good memories. Some bad. But most are very good. It's good to reminisce about that some. |
I went into the Pirates job with my eyes wide open. I understood how things were. It's unfortunate in this business, but time just ran out. I wasn't the first, and I won't be the last that it happens to. It's just the way the game works. |
I will go wherever this career takes me and [with] whoever comes calling -- whether that's on the field, the front office, an adviser or maybe broadcasting, |
I would have told you were crazy back then if you'd told me he'd be 5-14. |
I, for one, never believed he was out for good. He has too much passion for the game, too much love for the game. He got to a point where he was disenchanted with some things, but he's charged up and ready to go. |
I'm at peace with myself and with where my life is at this point. There were a lot of positives [about his managerial days]. More than anything, I think about the opportunity to manage a major-league club that Mr. [Kevin] McClatchy and Mr. [Cam] Bonifay gave me. |
I'm sure (rust) factored in. His breaking stuff was not as sharp tonight. He has pitched very sparingly as of late. That all comes into play. |
I'm sure there were some sensitive feelings as to whether or not some of their players were thrown at intentionally. I think we got all that straightened out now. |
I'm very happy here. I'm among friends but, more importantly, I'm among good baseball people. |
I've heard how Jim was burned out, but I didn't see it back then, and I don't see it now. More than anything, he was disappointed by how some of the guys were going about their business. |
I've seen a lot of errors, but I'd never seen that before. It took us out of a possible big inning and possibly getting a new pitcher. |
If you had told me two months ago Mark would have this record, I'd have said you were crazy. He was throwing as well as anybody in the National League. But it all boils down to command of the fastball. It's important to pitch ahead in the count. |
Injuries are part of the game. You certainly don't want your star players going down, and hopefully it's nothing serious. |
It must be the hair. |