These Pirates ... They're a great team waiting to happen. I honestly feel as though I have this grave responsibility to shape this young staff into what it could become -- and what it could become is frighteningly good.

Staying with Jim was the result of a very fortunate time in my life. I really had two first choices of where I wanted to be, with Jim or with the Mariners, a first-class organization to work for, ... at least one of the top candidates.

But maybe the action on Derek's pitches trumps that.

Sometimes, you just get a feeling about things. I thought it might take a little longer for him to get comfortable with it, because some different images have to be processed. But apparently, it hasn't. Apparently, he was just doing it wrong before. Now, he's doing it right, and it's easier for him.

It would have been great to be back with them. But Pittsburgh's time seems to be on the rise, too, with some good players and some very good young pitchers, ... Jim wants to bring in as many of our L.A. staff as possible, with the idea that as a group we had commitment and synergy and had players playing up to their potential as much as possible.

It happened a couple of days ago and it's gotten worse, ... I don't know how, but it doesn't take much to aggravate it. It's the size of a large cantaloupe. I think I strained the tendon in the back where the calf connects.

It's like something got reconciled in him, ... who he was and who he can be.

He allows me to have my own program and supports me and makes me feel like I am appreciated and respected.