Jeff Suppan Quotations

Mentally, I think is the key, staying mentally prepared in a number of ways. One, just visualizing that you're out there. When you're watching the game, seeing the pitch that you would throw and just trying to put yourself in the situation because it has been a while since I've thrown. That's basically what I've been doing.

Mentally, I think is the key, staying mentally prepared in a number of ways,

My cutter was much better, and my cutter is usually my last pitch to come along. I feel good about where things are headed.

Obviously, if you get the opportunity that's great,

I don't feel like I'm laboring, ... I'm just concentrating on that one pitch and letting things happen. I'm trying to use the defense. I haven't really thought about (start to start). I'm just focusing on the now.

I had a tough time with my slider; it was off the plate a lot. I work on staying focused and keeping my concentration at the level it needs to be. Sometimes, it may take five pitches to get that one out.

I finally had a good cutter, which really helped. I still have one more start, a minor league start. I'm still building. The main thing is getting mentally and physically ready for the season, and I'm close.

He came over in a trade, new locker room, and he was probably nervous and trying to figure his way around. Now, having two full seasons, getting a chance to come up last year, I think he looks really good.

Last year I faced them a lot, so I think that prepares me for this year,

I screwed up, ... I thought I was moving. I'm not a fast runner. I don't know what else to say.

Overall, I thought Esteban threw the ball well and I think I didn't throw the ball as well. Walking five guys, pitching out of the stretch, pitching out of a lot of jams, it's hard to win that way.

Some of these games, it's hard to come up with an explanation. They were able to capitalize on my mistakes and put together some good at-bats, and I didn't make pitches.

My stamina was good, I thought. Obviously my pitch location wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. I'm still predominantly focusing on the fastball. It didn't go everywhere I wanted it to go, but better than last time.

Location has always been No. 1 for me. My location has improved with each start. ... For me, each of my pitches complements another pitch. I've improved on pitches, pitch location, pitch selection and my rhythm.

You like to see the fans appreciate hard work. He's been working real hard and he had a great game today.

It was a phenomenal experience. I got to shake his hand. I kissed his ring. ... You're jelly-legged. I was nervous, but I was nervous in a different way. I couldn't really describe it. My heart was super pounding. I knew what I was being a part of. To actually be there, in Rome, and to get an opportunity like that, I felt very blessed. It was great.

Really I'm just getting ready to pitch, whenever that is.

As a starter you have to be able to adapt to what is put in front of you. Obviously, you don't like to wait that long but sometimes you have to.

That's how it goes. You can't control it.

You're going to go out there and you may feel good, you may feel bad; that really doesn't matter, ... You have to go out and make pitches. Sometimes it may take five pitches to get that one out, but you've got to keep grinding it. With our team, anything can happen.

The more times you're in those situations, that experience is going to benefit you. It helps you focus.

It was definitely a big inning for them,

It's funny, because when I hit it I just tried to run as hard as I could and I don't really remember too much.

It's funny because, when I hit it, I just tried to run as hard as I could, and I don't really remember much.

It's pretty amazing, the type of players that he's compared to. Names that you've heard your whole life, and he's putting up those types of numbers. ... He's the type of guy who has that ability, and has a good work ethic and it shows out on the field.

It's pretty amazing the type of players he's compared to. Names you've heard your whole life, he's putting up those kind of numbers.

I want to keep my mind in the same frame of mind every start. So, when I got out there, what I've done in the past against these guys doesn't matter. What I've done in the past this year doesn't matter. What matters is that particular pitch I'm throwing.

I called Rip Rowan, who is our clubhouse manager, and he got us a jersey and I was very excited and nervous. More importantly, just to meet the pope was phenomenal, and then to be able to offer him what I thought was a creative gift. And then my bags didn't make it. So I didn't have anything to offer him.

You definitely analyze it. You don't overanalyze it, that's for sure. Basically I went out there with a game plan. I'm going to throw fastballs, I'm going to throw changeups, and I'm going to mix a few curveballs in there. And that's what I did.

A lot was different. I was able to make some pitches that I wasn't the previous game. But basically, my plan was to leave what was in the past in past and really focus on what I had to do today to help the team win.