Felipe Alou Opening Quotations

It is good to do that, but sooner or later Barry is going to play in the field. Because on opening day, what will we do? ... It's not like it's going to be every game he's DH. For us as a team, it can't be that way.

With time, we look to him to be a No. 1-type guy. If he's healthy, there's no question he's in the rotation. He won't be overwhelmed by an opening day start at home. That's why it was important for him to get his feet wet last year.

Our starting pitching wasn't what we thought. (Jason) Schmidt started opening day. Kirk Rueter was the second day. Then (Brett) Tomko, then Lowry. Then the whole picture changed. Rueter's not even here now. Tomko is in the bullpen twice. Lowry is our No. 2, and we don't have a No. 3. We have three children we could throw in any order.

He's the guy we hope will be the opening-day guy. Two of the three years he's pitched for me, he hasn't been healthy enough to be my opening day guy.