Miscellaneous

It's good that we don't play a completely different style, because it helps everybody to know what his role is.

It's good that we don't play a completely different style, because it helps everybody to know what his role is.

I'm putting myself and my team in a position where we have a chance. Last year at this time, something read more

I'm putting myself and my team in a position where we have a chance. Last year at this time, something else might have happened. I might not have put the ball in play. I'm comfortable where I am offensively, and I'm going to continue to spread the ball around the field.

(Brandon) Webb is a premier, No. 1 (starter) in this league. I felt I put some good at-bats against him.

(Brandon) Webb is a premier, No. 1 (starter) in this league. I felt I put some good at-bats against him.

That's just one to throw away in the trash, pick it up tomorrow and play solid baseball.

That's just one to throw away in the trash, pick it up tomorrow and play solid baseball.

I'm just trying to make solid contact right there, and I got a slider over the plate and put the read more

I'm just trying to make solid contact right there, and I got a slider over the plate and put the barrel on it.

He didn't get enough credit. Winning 14 games as a rookie is not bad.

He didn't get enough credit. Winning 14 games as a rookie is not bad.

I'm able to work with guys who are able to do what they want with a baseball and understand pitching read more

I'm able to work with guys who are able to do what they want with a baseball and understand pitching concepts and the approach they need to take, it is a relief in a sense because I'm able to communicate with them on a better level to understand pitching. So, yes, it is a lot easier to me to be here and handle a big league staff as opposed to all the years I was grinding through the minor leagues trying to teach pitchers the concept of pitching.

I have no plans to trade Paul Pierce.

I have no plans to trade Paul Pierce.

Things like that don't bother me. Just one week ago, Paul said he wanted to play his whole career in read more

Things like that don't bother me. Just one week ago, Paul said he wanted to play his whole career in one uniform. It's important for us to keep all our players in the right frame of mind, and it would be great if everyone felt good about everything for the whole year. But that's not the way the NBA season works. All I know is I talk to Paul and he tells me he wants to keep together and get better.

He'll be with us when training camp opens.

He'll be with us when training camp opens.