He was sort of an inventor of a tough-guy look, whether he knew it or not.

I'm sort of a foot-on-the-gas kind of guy.

He dealt with it, even though he knew it was going to be a tough go.

I was just sort of oblivious to what was going on. When Thome had surgery, I knew I'm the guy for the long haul and am trying to step it up. Knowing you're going to be in there every day is a big thing.

This guy is not someone who is easy to get down. I knew we would be in position but he gets contact plus 2, 3 yards. I was very pleased how we gang-tackled him and not allow his second effort to move the pile.

It's tough. You're sort of in shock. I just can't get over the fact, whether it's my grandmother or not, but the respect of our elders, just to brutally do that.