I don't know what happened. It was a good pitch, right down the middle. He didn't catch it. |
I think he took it personal. We talked a little bit that day. I said listen, 'It's over, come back next year. You've got a long way to go. You've got seven more years here. So, hopefully you end up winning four or five world championships.' We've got a great team. Hopefully, they keep it together. |
I think he's been around for a long time. I think he's the best pitcher they have. That really surprised me because he was supposed to start today, at least that's what we thought. ... He's got a lot of confidence. We didn't come through when we needed to, and that was the game right there. |
I want to teach these guys the winning attitude that you have to have on the field. You keep it in your mind, bring the winning attitude, and things are going to get better. It's going to be a long season, because we've got to teach all these kids. I look forward to that. |
I'm very happy at the appointment, and now we have to put together a team that puts Venezuela's name high up there, ... But I think in Venezuela there are enough quality players to win the title. I hope the best are available. |
I'm very happy at the appointment, and now we have to put together a team that puts Venezuela's name high up there. But I think in Venezuela there are enough quality players to win the title. I hope the best are available. |
If they don't come to practice, they don't want to be on the team. This isn't about individualism, it's about putting together a team that can represent us with honor. |
It definitely gives you an edge to be the wild card. You feel like you've already been in the playoffs. |
It puts more pressure on us. We just have to put it behind us. |
It's a shame, ... because all he cares about is winning. He comes to the ballpark and all he talks about is baseball. He's got a long way to go here. [Rodriguez is signed through the 2010 season.] He has a chance to win four or five championships. |
It's going to be hard, ... I've been with these guys for 10 years. They've been a winning team, and Mel's been a big part of it. It's going to be tough. That's the name of the game. You're in and you're out. You've got to move on. We're going to miss him, that's for sure. |
My guys didn't come through. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about it because pitching was a big factor in this game. |
My guys knew it was going to be tough, no matter who we played. Now we go to the second round and it's going to be tougher and tougher. |
Of course everyone is thinking about Venezuela. We're one of the favorites. |
On paper we are the favorites along with the Dominican Republic and the United States, but things are not predictable in baseball. Every country has their best players on their squads and have plans to win it all. |