He really studies hitters, probably more than most closers. I viewed him as a setup man, because he hadn't closed in a while. But in the spring I saw him, and I didn't realize the stuff he had and how he managed it. (This season) doesn't surprise me, because it was that good.

He's really picked up his tempo out there. Some of the things he was doing, I could almost tell what he was going to throw. Now, he's pitching aggressively. That works real good with a guy who has a good changeup.

I just told him, be consistent with your delivery.

Innocent people have been drawn into someone else's conflict,

That's a lot to put on one person. I was home this year, and I was here a lot to help. I'm interested in Seattle, and I told Mike that. He's one of my closest friends, and I love the Northwest. So it's not an easy decision to make.

It's going to hurt, definitely. It's been a great second job and now I just hope there's more going on next year.

They really give us a lift to where we feel like they can get anybody out on any given day.

A lights-out bullpen that comes on in the seventh puts pressure on the offense. That gives you an advantage if you can turn the game into a six- or seven-inning game like the Yankees have done over the years.

The starters get you there, and then the bullpen determines the outcome. The majority of the games are very close. It seems like it doesn't matter how good your offense is.

The very economy of the Western Cape is at stake if they do not give us that capacity,