We expect to have a successful year. And to define success, does that necessarily mean winning? No, not necessarily, but keep in mind that the most important thing in minor league baseball is player development.
We've got some team speed. We've got guys with baseball savvy out there that are willing and wanting to take the extra base. It just goes to show that you don't need to hit the ball out of the ballpark or hit doubles and triples to score runs. We scored eight runs. It's timely hitting.
On paper, we have a pretty good pitching staff.
(McCormick) never got rattled out there ... I'm not taking anything away from our hitters, but we couldn't make the adjustments, which is what this game is all about.
Ronnie came in and threw the ball pretty well ... you can't ask for anything better than giving us a chance to win. Unfortunately we didn't score any runs.
Going out there I think he was at 76 pitches. I told him he was one over 75, we'll take him up to 80. I told him to work the middle and pitch to contact.
This a great opportunity to be around the game. Obviously, there will be a little bit more responsibility. As (the) hitting coach (last season), I was kind of lurking in the shadows whereas the manager has to deal with hitters, the pitchers, the front office and the fans. It's a bigger responsibility, but one I accept and look forward to.
We ran into a into a guy that was throwing the ball very well ... you've got to tip your cap to that (pitching) staff today, they did an outstanding job of keeping our hitters down.
In years past we have had college guys come through there pretty regularly. Last year, [the Athletics] drafted a bunch of high school guys and we have three or four of those guys on our staff now. They have tremendous talent. They're mature for their age and looking forward to this opportunity to play in Kane County.
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