I think there's a growing number of pitchers who want to have a plan going into a game about how they're going to go after that lineup. I'd say 75 percent want to have an idea, and they plan their attack. I know that 75 percent of hitters do not have that same type of plan against a pitcher.

I think the guys that get to the All-Star Game deserve a lot of credit. They deserve their opportunity to get out there and let the baseball fandom see them.

I was in the American League for 16, 17 years, and I think it's a really tough league to compete in.

I don't necessarily think you can separate the two, ... When you come into a game with a big lead, absolutely the worst thing you can do is to walk guys. That's the only time I'd yell from the dugout - whey they walked somebody. So when you get behind a hitter in that situation, it's more likely a ball catches too much plate.

It's just amazing how often he does that. I can't remember seeing a pitcher in all the years I've managed that's been so good every time out there.

I think each negotiation should be based on what's the best decision - taking everything into account, not taking one thing into account.