Mike Scioscia Work Quotations

What's really been impressive is to see his work ethic and how much his defense has picked up. We're really excited about that part.

Some guys need opportunities. He has worked very hard with his stuff and feels very confident with it. He is at a point now where he understands the importance of location and consistency. He has made great strides.

His fastball command was a little erratic, but the command on his offspeed pitches was there, and his velocity was good. He got his work in. It did not set him back.

Nobody worked harder than Maz. I know he worked very, very hard at getting that team and their whole organization going in the right direction. But when it doesn't happen, you're accountable. That's the life of anybody who's in this position. If you're not moving the organization forward, they make you pass the baton to somebody else.

I think we were all surprised at the level he came into camp at compared to where he was when we saw him in October. There was a tremendous amount of work that was needed, and he did it. He's in the shape he needs to be in.

I guess I haven't seen that play work since Willie Mays Hayes (movie Major League). It's a great hustle play. I don't think we'll design it or use it again, but it worked out tonight.

I think he looks very smooth back there, and it's obvious that he works well with the pitching staff. He's mobile, he's got a quick release, and I think his arm is solid.

There is still some guarded optimism. We'll see them in a couple of more workouts and hopefully some games, but we have to see how they come out of it, and they do, too.

It's tough for Izzy. This guy worked so hard and on a lot of clubs he'd be a starting shortstop. You watch him on the practice field and see the passion he has for baseball. He loves it. It's just a bump in the road for him. He'll get healthy.

A lot of times the pitch you need to get a guy out is either out of the zone or in the dirt and you need to block the ball or tag the guy out. Our guys work on that and our pitchers need to have confidence to throw that pitch.

A muddy track is not something that works in our favor. I think we need to run the bases, we need to stay aggressive. I think whether we play tonight or tomorrow or any time this series, you're going to have a slower track just because of the wetness that you anticipate the field having.

He came in and got in the zone early and got in a groove. He made some pitches when he had to. I think we made him work for it. He found his release point. He's got great stuff.