Baseball is a team game.
If I know it's going over the fence, I am going to start jogging and just get around the bases and get back in the dugout.
I'm up here to help the team win every at-bat, offense, defense, baserunning.
To score runs you have to be pragmatic.
I like to hit with men in scoring position.
I used to be a pretty good hit-and-run man when I played in the minors. I handled the bat well and could hit the ball to the right side of the infield. Nevertheless, I know that you often give the opposition an out on the hit-and-run play.
It's not really part of the game to say, 'Oh, it's a batter's game; it's a batter's game' - I don't know why it goes on. It's a beautiful game that's greatly competitive between bat and ball.
I want to get on base every single time I get up there. Whether it's a walk or a base hit, I really don't care how I want to get on base. I just want to be on.
I just try to get on anyway that I can, hit, hit-by-pitch, walk, home runs, anything.
You score runs to win games. That's how you do it.
I don't go up there and try to hit home runs.
Hitting the ball was easy. Running around the bases was the tough part.
If I'm ready to hit early, if I get fooled, then whatever. I've still got two more strikes.
He slides into second with a stand up double.
Generally in the Little League you're up against a good pitcher who throws like hell. What does the coach say? Get a walk. Isn't that beautiful way to learn to hit? For four years you stand up there looking for a walk.
After I hit a home run I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases.
I could get better at baserunning.
That's how baseball works. You put some good swings on the ball and it goes out of there.
When you get on base, holes open up and things happen and you're able to find a way to score runs.
When you go up there in the batter's box, you're engaged to hit. It's the same thing with baserunning.
I love talking about baserunning.
I love second base.
However it is I get on base, or whatever happens, happens.
Most one run games are lost, not won.
We're pretty good at putting bunts down and really good at hitting. I know as a pitcher, when you face a pitcher you know can hit, that's not fun. I think taking pride in that, and being able to hit helps your own cause.
