I do understand the passion of the fans, and I think that's a plus when you're talk about playing or coaching, because they are behind you, but there are 35,000 of them in the stands. Tito has the confidence to put me over there. We got to know each other in Texas, and I think my demeanor plays a little bit of a factor, because I don't get too high or too low. |
It doesn't feel strange. It really doesn't. It was six years. You're talking about an opportunity. An opportunity came up for me to come back in this position, and I welcomed it and jumped at it. |
Stand firm. If you get someone thrown out, you get someone thrown out. Sometimes the situation calls for you to be aggressive. If you coach third base and you don't get someone thrown out, you're not being very aggressive. It's just a matter of when. |
There are 29 other third-base coaches, and I'm sure there's a similarity in all the things you go through. I do know the American League, having been in it the last four years. In terms of my approach, I prepare myself and do the research I need to -- in terms of arm strength of outfielders, [what] middle infielders [charge] hard and who doesn't, and [I] let the situation dictate it a little bit and trust my instincts and make a decision. |
There were no hard feelings. I spoke to people over here and said, ?I don?t think I can pass up that opportunity right now.? I looked, I thought, I weighed, and I said I think I need to explore this opportunity, instead of maybe waiting a few more years to get the opportunity with the Red Sox. |
When I look at it individually, I think it's a natural progression -- coaching first base for the last four years [and] coaching third base in the Minor Leagues -- for me to go from first to third. |