Clint Hurdle Starting Quotations

We're starting to make some marks in the right direction on the road. The layout of the land behind us is what it is. We can't change that. We can change what's in front of us.

If we get that kind of effort (one run allowed by Jennings in seven innings) from our starting pitching, we are going to be in good shape.

If he wants to be back with this team it won't be as part of the starting rotation. He has to see the bullpen as his opportunity.

The bigger issue is the first-pitch fastballs they are squaring up. He might have to start pitching backwards (by starting batters with breaking pitches) and doing some things different off the mound.

This will be a very exciting day for him. He's put in as much hard work into becoming a starting opening-day player as anybody that we've ever had. He's had 11 years in the minor leagues and to get this nod at this time in his career has to be very gratifying.

We have a starting pitcher on the disabled list right now and he will come off sometime this season. So competition, there's always competition.

We are new at this. We are starting to like it. We need to keep it going. Each one is a confidence builder. Each one helps the guys feel they belong. Guys each get a chance, and when they perform, they feel good about themselves.

He's the best hitter in the league that nobody knows about, from my perspective. He's starting to get talked about more, but he's a real good hitter.

Nothing he is going to do is going to surprise me. Like a lot of our players, he is starting to believe in himself.

He's not going to be invited back to be a part of the starting rotation. We have interest in bringing him back, but it's only in the bullpen.