We just couldn't seem to get the big hit to break open games. |
We just wanted to get in. It's been such a long, tough year. I know everyone in here is enjoying every single minute of this. Especially for a guy like me, and where I started. It's unbelievable. |
We know it's still early, but you don't want to fall as far behind and get in that rut where you have to battle back. You don't want to find yourself coming to the ballpark, giving away a win and then the next day, you get beat. Before you know it, it turns into something bad. |
We were all thinking in the back of our minds, oh God, here we go, the Devil Rays have our number. |
We'd look around and say the only way we're going to lose is if guys aren't playing [because they're hurt]. |
We're going to win some games with our offense, no doubt about it. Our offense is too good not to win. |
We've been close. They're letting us know we need to get over the top. |
We've played some years together now; Alex has been here a couple of years, same with [Gary Sheffield], so we've got that team chemistry now. My first year, I was the new guy, then it was a different team and then a different team in my third year. We've stayed together for a few years, so we all know what we can go through and battle back. It definitely makes a difference. |
What are you doing? |
When I got home, I wasn't sick, so I was able to continue all of the hard work I did last year. It was nice to be able to get back on that routine, start lifting, training and hitting, keep working on those things. |
When they first got down there they were trying to speed him along. I talked to him and he said they had some good workouts . . . I don't care how much you train or whatever you do, you can't simulate being on the field and playing baseball. |
Without the veteran ball club we have, we could have very easily gotten swept, especially against a pitcher like Brad. They beat Mo last night, and this could have turned into a disaster. You give away a game, then get beat, and it turns into something bad. We got the taste out of our mouths. |
You can understand George's position. He's basically got $50 million worth of players there. You tell me what billion-dollar corporation would want $50 million of its [assets] out somewhere with no guarantees if they get hurt. |
You couldn't ask for a better ending the Yankees and Red Sox for the last three games. |
You couldn't have done that without involving me? |