Earlier on in your career, you're just trying to hang on. I've been fortunate, and you realize you have a rare opportunity to help people. You go to hospitals, and you try to encourage them. |
Every once in a while -- not very often -- you come across people who make everybody else around them better. I've never seen anybody put so much effort into other people and you could tell it was sincere. |
Every place seems to react to him the same way. They boo him. They cheer him. They boo the pitchers who walk him. I don't think it'll be any different than any other city. |
He came in and did exactly what anyone would ask for. |
He threw a lot of pitches out there. I was concerned about that. How many times have you seen that happen to a closer in spring training? It happens every spring. I don't know why. |
He was stretching his side and I knew something wasn't right. That's what I was afraid of. He probably threw one too many pitches. |
He's not an easy at-bat anyway, but I figured if I got another chance, I'd get it down. The bunt's the right play and I screwed it up twice, and I needed to fix it. |
He's one of the most underrated players out there. Defensively he may be the best catcher in the game. There really aren't too many others I'd rather have. |
I acknowledged the fact that when they were struggling I was not helping them, so ... ... ... I guess I deserve some praise for helping them now. |
I don't view it, |
I don't view it. It's meaningless to me. I could care less. We've got to come back tomorrow and play that game. Right now I'm having trouble letting this one go. |
I was thinking out loud because I've seen a six-run lead last less than a blink of an eye at this place. It takes a mentality to keep pushing at this field. But these guys have played all season a lot harder than people realize. |
It didn't sound like they were putting him high on the priority list. I know that's a slap in the face. |
It floors me the way he thinks, how under control he is. Any kid in America who wants to be a big-league shortstop should watch every move he makes. Every kid in Venezuela, too. |
It takes a mentality to keep pushing here. We have the responsibility to ourselves to play as hard as we can. |