Jim Tracy
Jim Tracy
large last mean next obviously sample six size team won year
One-and-7 obviously isn't the way you want to start. But the (Dodgers) team I managed last year started 12-2 and we won 71 games. So it's not a large enough sample size of games. It doesn't mean this is the kind of team we're going to be for the next six months.
bench contend factor fan great handled knows player situation team
He has handled the situation very professionally and he's made a big fan out of me because of that. It's great to have a player like him on the bench that you can put into the lineup and the other team knows he's a significant factor to contend with.
building immediacy number perform point special step team trust watch win
You see building blocks. There's an immediacy in that we want to win right away, but there's also a foundation, I think, for this team to be pretty special for a number of years. When you can build something to the point it's very good, then step back and watch it perform collectively? Trust me, that's a special feeling.
anybody chance charge close everybody games handle lock matter putting serious slam teams throw thus type winning
Back in May, when the Padres went something like 22-6, they had a chance to slam the door, throw the lock around the handle and close it off for everybody else. And it didn't happen. So it's not a matter of anybody putting on any type of serious charge thus far, it's a matter of teams just winning some games here and there.
baseball good helped team
Obviously, he helped make us a good baseball team two years ago.
approach approaches ball change dugout far given group guy missed noticed players situation swing swung team understand watching
The one thing I noticed about this team while watching from the other dugout is that it swung and missed too much. The approach had to change collectively, in my opinion, as far as each and every guy approaches his at bats. You need a group of players that understand that in a given situation it's pretty important for them to try and put the ball in play, and not swing and miss.
base believe buffer clubhouse good guy happen needs office people team third
Every team needs people like that. It's not just what he does as a third base coach, and I happen to be believe he's very good at what he does. Having this guy as a buffer between my office and the clubhouse ... that's huge.
accomplish game light takes
Sometimes it takes one at-bat in one game for the light to go on. You can accomplish a lot by doing what we were doing with Duffy today.
clubhouse full guys
Is Oliver Perez important to us? And Kip Wells? Sure, they are. But we've got a whole clubhouse full of guys that are important to us.
economic property
You should not be able to take someone's property for economic development,
duke good
Zach Duke did a good job. He had to battle, obviously.
needs spring takes time work
Zach's doing what he needs to do to get his work done. It takes time -- that's all part of spring training.
disruptive fast gets ideal piece player spot top
Duffy is an important piece at the top of our lineup. That's an ideal spot for him. When he gets on first base, he can be a very disruptive player as fast as he is.
criticized decision eric harshly
I was harshly criticized for the decision to make Eric Gagne a closer,