Bud Black Game Quotations

We want to make sure when we send him out, that he's in condition to pitch again. With the resiliency of his arm, his athleticism and his youth, it doesn't take long for a young guy to get in shape. Essentially, he's not really behind arm-wise because he pitched roughly 2 1/2 to three weeks ago in the Caribbean finals. He got game innings. I suspect his arm is fine.

Any time you have a chance to sort of regroup, take a step back, then go at it again, it helps. Last year, everything happened so quickly. Every game was vitally important. Now we get a chance to exhale.

We talk to all of our guys to have the in-game awareness and to be cognizant of the game around you. You have to have the big picture. Also, when it is critical to make pitches and to not let the game get away from you. These are things that John has started to realize.