Inside Your Head
March 21 - Spring Training is the ideal time for any baseball fan to begin to put the names with the numbers, the numbers on the back of a player's jersey and the numbers on the front of the mind's of those projecting the near future of our favorite players. But spring is also a great time to put the names with the thoughts inside the heads of the players we follow. Here are a few of those gathered in conversations I've been fortunate to have thus far this camp:
"I had alot to learn and I did learn a lot on the big stage. I failed miserably many times. There were high expectations on what I was going to do when I went up there. That's one of the things that's tough for these guys. They all have expectations of themselves as I did and if they don't live up to them that's hard to deal with." -Kirk Gibson
"We've learned. We've learned a lesson. Last year we were out by two games and I'm sure I can think of two games where baserunning could have won us the game. We know that we got a little lackadaisical last year when it came to the baserunning side of it. So this year I know we are going to take it at them from day one. We're going to push. We have a lot of guys that can run and we're definitely going to use that part of our game this year." -Chris Young
"I think the focus simply needs to be on servanthood. The best way I know to explain that is you make yourself available to the masses, whoever they might be in that locker room. You share whatever information you can, sometimes it's politely shared and sometimes it's not. But more often than not they realize that you are going to battle with them. They know when push comes to shove, they can lean on you. You simply make yourself available to whatever their needs are." -Tony Clark on his Veteran Role in the Clubhouse
"It's one of those things that when I go out and play, I play for my teammates. I don't play for me, I play for my teammates. It was a privilege last year, it really was, to do what I did, but we were two games short. I'd give you 30 points so I could get to the post season." -Stephen Drew on his Huge Offensive Season in 07'
"I will say Manny Ramirez is probably one of the best hitters that I have ever seen with my eyes. He's unbelievable. Being a baseball player myself, I can see him at the plate and the way he swings at the ball or the way he takes a pitch, I can tell what he's looking for. He goes up there with a plan every single time and I can tell in and out that he's studied the pitcher up and down that whole entire afternoon." -Justin Upton on his Opponent in L.A.
Finally, thoughts and prayers for a classy baseball player and friend Aaron Boone. His career might be over as he needs open-heart surgery to fix a problem with his aorta and aortic valve. I've known Aaron for more than 20 years and he has been great for the game, not a big surprise for those who know his dad Bob. Last year I had a chance to reminisce with the veteran.
Get well soon!
See you at the yard.
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