If you have trouble getting up for these games, you probably shouldn’t be playing. But it does help to get the fans behind you, screaming and yelling and getting your adrenaline going. These next four...

I think he’s got great potential. We just didn’t swing the bats really well.

I want to be the guy. I want to be the guy in that spot. That’s the way I look at it. When the game is on the line, I’m hoping it’s me.

I let my emotion get the best of me.

They let you know when they’re not happy. It’s the bottom line. It’s what have you done for me lately. But when you do it right, it’s the best feeling in the world.

It’s a big series to start the year and let them know we’re for real. The Braves are still the team to beat. You want to come out and play hard, and you want to...

You don’t develop [trust]. You’ve got to earn it.

I felt great. My hand wasn’t an issue at all. It was fun to get on the field and start getting ready.

I’ll take pitches for you. And whenever you want to go, you go. Don’t worry about me.

When Jesse Orosco threw up his glove in ’86, I was jumping up and down on my bed.

It’s something I’m going to have to deal with the rest of the year. It won’t be back to 100 percent until spring training.

I’m just trying to get a feel for Tommy and what he wants to do in certain spots. I’ll talk it over with him to see if he’s happy with my target and little stuff...

He?s one of those guys that with one swing can change the aspect of a game. Just an unbelievable hitter and a presence. He?s a great teammate, very intelligent. Just a solid, solid guy.

Your body reacts differently to different foods. Some give you more energy than others. Everybody is different.

I like that people are gunning for you. It’s better than being predicted to come in last.

I know deep down this is what he didn’t want to happen.

It’s the third time I’ve done it. It doesn’t feel weird any more.

I didn’t feel any pain when I hit the home run, I’ll tell you that. I told Jack [McKeon] I wanted to play in this series regardless of how my leg feels. I want to...

I feel bad because that was an RBI for him.

It’s a long season. You have to have energy, and that comes from eating properly. Your body tells you when you don’t.

It is a lot of fun catching these guys. You have four guys who can throw a no-hitter at any time. That makes it interesting.

It would be a disappointment, with the team we’re throwing out there, not to be competitive and win the World Series.

You have to earn it. You want guys to trust you in big situations. You work on things and talk in spring training and in the middle of the season they trust you.

We’re on the computer e-mailing each other about trades and stuff. There’s a lot of trash talking.

There’s always people out there that are hating, I guess. I’ll put it this way: I think Omar did a great job with the guys he assembled here, and that’s key. Clubhouse chemistry is huge,...

Just show it and sell it. It trickled down my arm and I just grabbed it and showed the umpire. It was a break. Sometimes you need those. You’re going to get breaks against you...

He’s such a calm customer, so I think he’s going to be just fine. He’s been bred for this because of who his father is.

It’ll be fun catching guys who are going to the Hall of Fame.

I know it’s hurting Mr. Loria. He wants to win so badly, but with no stadium, he is doing what he has to do.

It was an honor to be a part of it. I’m glad he got it out of the way. Now, it’s on to 300.

It’s not going to be that tough. I faced a lot of these guys. I know what they have.

He can throw it to both sides of the plate, so when you can do that you’re going to win ballgames.

I’ve got the Italian descent, I guess. I don’t know if I can say I’m a full-fledged New Yorker, but hopefully I can be by the time I’m there.

I think it’s a good to bring in a guy like that with a lot of excitement, a lot of pizzazz, … Guys will be able to relate a bit more, so that should help.

I think he’s got great potential. I’m not saying that if I didn’t mean it.

The number one thing in spring training for me is getting to know the pitching staff. I think I’m pretty laid back and easy to work with.

Everyone dry? Don’t worry about us.

For April, it’s as big as it’s going to get. You have to dethrone those guys. They’re the team to beat. They’ve been there 13, 14 straight years now. So this is big. Take them...

He was good in the pen. Just one of those things where he didn’t execute a couple pitches. You’re facing all young kids who are hacking…. They probably don’t even know that he has a...

I think it’s good to bring in a guy like that with a lot of excitement, a lot of pizzazz, … Guys will be able to relate a bit more, so that should help.

I’ve always tried to hit that hole. I’ll protect him and do whatever it takes. My job is to get him to third base with less than two outs, and we’ll have a 1-0 lead...

I figured when they traded Josh Beckett, that this might happen.

It’s good. It’s not an issue. There is no pain.

The hand is quicker than the eye, I guess. It’s one of those where you just show the umpire and hope that you get the call.

This is a huge road trip, everybody knows that. So it’s going to be hard for guys not to press. … You play the whole year and spring training for this road trip.

It’s spring training. I have to work on getting thrown out of the game.

I think it would be a disappointment if we didn’t win the NL East.

So far, I feel comfortable with everyone. It’s not something I’m worried about now. Guys were working on things before; they’ll now be working more like they would when the season starts.

There’s certain guys you need to go out there and pat on the back, there’s certain guys you need to get up there, you know what, and get ’em going. Every guy has a different...

The kid’s a special player. He’s a young superstar.