19 Quotes by Bud Black

I think he's a confident guy. He just needs that mind-set that, 'I am capable of doing something special,' just that sheer determination. He's a great worker, a great teammate, has a great aptitude to take instruction.

That was the nerves of his first major-league start. Everything speeded up on him. The next time, he realized, 'That's not me. That's not who I am.' It was a whole different mentality from the minute he got to the ballpark. He warmed up better, he was focused, he was concentrated.

You don't experiment with a changeup against Alex Rodriguez in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium.

We talk to all of our guys to have the in-game awareness and to be cognizant of the game around you. You have to have the big picture. Also, when it is critical to make pitches and to not let the game get away from you. These are things that John has started to realize.

The whole year he showed that poise and composure.

It was great to see him step up and make pitches.

Any time you have a chance to sort of regroup, take a step back, then go at it again, it helps. Last year, everything happened so quickly. Every game was vitally important. Now we get a chance to exhale.

In the dugout you see some of the facial expressions up close and you see that intensity. Don't be confused by their laid-back, California personality. These guys compete.

If he makes all his starts, with his stuff, there's no reason why he can't win upwards of 15-to-20 games.