He'll be around in spirit because he left so many people with the impression of what a nice person is supposed to be like.

I thought the time was right and the amount of effort that they had given and the time they put in, it was very fitting that it happened. I'm glad he and Sparky (who died in 2001) both got to see that.

People like that are invaluable. They mean so much to a program and they mean so much to the kids. Everybody liked Johnny O'Leary. What meant more to the kids and the coaching staff than actually fixing the field, he gave us his time. It was very precious to have a gentleman like that to give us his time. He took so much pride in what he did.

One day I went over and started talking to him and one thing led to another. I asked if he'd be interested in sort of helping and maybe get involved in the program. He started tinkering around. One day, there he is with a rake around home plate. He would always say, 'I don't want to step on any toes here,' but he always had great suggestions. It just grew and grew and grew.

I am so excited to have won the first Dew Cup. After this win, I feel like I'm ready to have a heart attack. I blew it in San Jose because I didn't think of the Dew Tour as a series. Next season, I plan to concentrate on consistency.

Staying on top is what keeps me going, but I pick my spots more,