Mel has taken on the role of Gator. He'll volunteer stuff, but he knows that's not his job. Last year, it was vice versa.

He knows his job. We are very confident behind him. He has found his rhythm.

Mel did a great job here all these years, but that's the way the Yankees are. Everybody knows when you come to the Yankees, that things can change from year to year. Everybody that's been here a while understands the things that may arise.

Every year, there's going to be someone who's going to be a thorn in your side. This year, it's the Devil Rays. You look at their record lately, and it's not too shabby. They've always had talented people.

I don't want to say he got used to it, but I think he understood this year, with his reduced role, that this is what he should be concentrating on. That doesn't mean he's not valuable.

The guys were a little goofy before the game. They were playing around and stuff. There was sort of a playful determination they had out there.