Oklahoma State University Athletics
Baseball Media Day Quotes
February 05, 2003 | Cowboy Baseball
Feb. 5, 2003
Baseball Media Day Quotes
Head Coach Tom Holliday
"Thirteen guys from last years team have gone on to professional baseball, we have two other guys that graduated. We lost fifteen people of which we replaced with what we consider better athletes. In the business of coaching, from one year to the next you try to replace what you loose with better players, better athletes. Until we start to play we won't know if they are better players. Up until today, we feel like we have a better ball club with much more athleticism."
"Of our losses, going into the season, I think that the two people that we will feel the loss of most are Jeff Salazar and Mike Patitucci. Patitucci was ticketed to be our closer this year, but he signed with the Orioles. Salazar was probably the best center fielder that we have had at Oklahoma State in 25 years. Those two holes were probably the hardest to fill."
"I think the starting pitching of Nick McCurdy and Chris Reilly has been filled within our own staff. I feel good about the other spots. I don't think that we go into the season with a weakness. Bringing all of the new people together, this is a ball club that goes into the season with as much love as any that I have had. Any time you end the season on a sour note, it is fun to watch the returning guys take over and unite the new people. This bunch has done it better than any I have ever done. I have never seen a ball club as anxious to play as this bunch."
On the new group of guys
"We played seven intra-squad games throughout the month of January. We have had Januarys that we were tickled to death to get outside and field ground balls. Last weekend we had two days of 70 degree weather where we played 22 innings, and we are on fire with the bat."
On gaining power hitters
"I think that we focused on getting athletes and guys with power. We may not steal a lot of bases, but we will run the bases well. I don't think that we will try to steal a lot of bases because 1-9 we may hit a lot of homeruns. I am not going to give up outs trying to do something that we are not good at, I think we are good at hitting homeruns. In the two games this weekend, we hit 11 homeruns, with five of them going over everything in left field. I think that they know that they are powerful, but I think jumping out against quality teams will be a test for them. There will not be a lot of feel-good days. I don't know where on our schedule that will happen."
Pitcher Joe Weaver
On becoming a starting pitcher
"I think that it is something that I always wanted to do. When I got here, I knew that I wanted to be a starter. I have needed the last two years to show the coaches how bad I wanted to pitch on the team. Now seeing that the spots have opened up and the coach has the confidence in me, means a great deal. It will be different, but I think that at the same time it will be an enjoyable experience."
On moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation
"I think that it will help me more because I know what days I will be pitching. In the pen you never know when you pitch, whether it will be that day or the next. It helps you a little more in your preparation because you have a week to get ready. You are able to work on the things you need to during your off days."
Catcher Jason Jaramillo
On being the starting catcher
"The Big 12 is a tough conference. You have to catch a lot of games, there are a lot of demands, and you have to come in with the confidence knowing you can play day in and day out."
On the pitching staff
"It has been a pleasure catching these guys. Scott Baker and Joe Weaver spent the summer in the Cape Cod League. They did well and I think they will do well for this season."
Pitcher Scott Baker
On pitching staff
"I think we have a great staff, and us freshman that came in two years ago are now juniors and know what works and what doesn't work. We are ready to step it up and get the job done no matter what it takes."
On the season
"Just like coach was saying, we lacked some key hits last year and we made some mistakes pitching, too. I think there are things we need to correct in order to succeed this year."
Centerfielder Jose Virgil
On this season
"Since I have been here, I have figured out the best swing that works for me, and I definitely feel confident heading into this season."
On the transition from left to center
"The main thing is that you have to see live balls come off the bat. When you are playing left field the ball tails toward the line, but when you are out in center in can go either way depending on the batter."
