Tony Russa
Tony Russa
absolutely club great hard mentally physically worked
We worked hard to get here. Our club has been so relentless, and we're in a great position. ... The club has been absolutely relentless, and as strong-minded as you can be. This club is mentally and physically very, very tough.
hoping slips sure
We're going to talk, and we're going to make sure that nothing slips through the cracks. Scott is really important, and we're hoping that what he's done is not too much too soon. That's why it's important we talk.
game pitching
We're going to go game-to-game, series-to-series. We'll see if we think our pitching is vulnerable.
care finish great line mostly october ready rotation soon start trying turns
We're mostly try to get to the finish line first, as soon as possible, then if we can do that, we're going to try to get to October as ready as we can. We're not trying to make a start for Anthony Reyes. We're trying to take care of those two priorities. If it turns out that we want to lengthen out the rotation for some reason, Anthony's a great guy.
correction hal needs sees
We have to get (Juan) going. I think (hitting coach) Hal (McRae) sees the correction that he needs to make.
aggressive chance good respected sure whenever
I don't think it's unorthodox. Whenever he does something it's just aggressive and makes good sense. I really respected him (as the manager) in Milwaukee. ... If they have a chance to win, he'll make sure (his players) are in the right place.
areas decided push sore
He's got some sore areas and we decided not to push him,
hit pitch tough
He's going to pitch on the edges. He's tough enough to hit when it's over the plate.
again couple definitely environment good himself nobody september sharper spring training weeks winning wins
He's been in good situations. Nobody wins by themselves, but he definitely contributes to a winning environment on and off the field. The first couple of weeks of September was like spring training all over again for him. Little by little, he got sharper and sharper, and now he's himself again.
defense gotten played playing run
He's done everything. Gotten big hits, played defense well, run the bases. He's playing today, so he's still in the mix.
guys hang hung limit runs
Hung in there? You don't just hang in there when you limit them to two runs with all those opportunities. When he had guys on base, he was outstanding.
good intensity last location lost pressure stuff
He's pitched with so much intensity and so much pressure for so long that when the pressure's not there, he lost a little edge, ... He had good stuff his last two starts, but his location was off.
hard missed playing quick spring time
He hasn't started working out hard yet. I don't know enough about his stroke. He missed a lot of playing time in spring training, so I don't know how quick (his return) can be.
approach battles classic good great hitter relentless takes trying
He is a classic high-average hitter because he takes a relentless approach every at-bat. Every at-bat he's the same way. He battles the great pitchers, he battles the real good ones, the good ones, the ones that are trying to make it.