I basically had the best spring of my life. I was brought in and knew who my competition was. And I have confidence in myself to go out and play the game and I did it. I basically did everything I was asked and, obviously, it wasn't enough. |
I try to take the positive out of everything, ... Buddy's outstanding. He knows what it takes to be a big leaguer, and he's instilling it in the young guys. And everybody's going about it the right way and I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. |
I'm feeling pretty good at the plate. I just wish it would have come in a win. I had quality at-bats and am trying to put something together. I don't believe in too early or too late [for your swing coming around], but just focusing on quality at-bats and everything else will take care of itself. |
It got me on the left hand, forearm and ear. All three on one pitch. I have no idea how that happened. It's never happened to me before, not three spots in one at-bat. I've never seen that. |
No matter how many runs you were down, you had an idea that you still had a chance to win. |
That's part of your status in the game. Along the way I've been fortunate to be taught by a lot of great people. The game is like a fraternity. I've been able to pass down what I've learned. |
That's why you play this game, to play in the big leagues. And I feel like I was one of the 25 best guys to make this team. |
There was no selfishness. You'd have Robin Ventura oh-for-four with three K's coming in in the eighth inning saying, 'Come on, boys, don't wait for me to carry you.' Just things like that where when he said that, you knew things were OK, |
We keep battling all day. A lot of good things happened. |
When things are going bad is when you sit back and observe and see how people react. The thing I enjoyed about it is nobody pointed fingers and when you go through a stretch like that, a lot of negativity can creep in and I didn't see that. I liked that, and you don't see that too much. |
When you go through them, you find out the true meaning of people. It's easy when things are going good. It's very easy. You can walk around laughing, |