Zach Duke Quotes (25 Quotes)

The lefties that we're speaking of, they're all very different. We're all going to be able to feed off each other. If a team has trouble with lefties, they're going to have a tough time with us. Even if a team hits lefties well, they're not going to see the same kind of lefty every day.

I fell behind a lot, but I was able to make some key pitches in key situations. I was just trying to make every pitch too nasty.

For me, it all boils down to the first inning. I walk a guy and then I made a mistake. It ends up being the difference in the game. It's very frustrating for me personally.

I'm very impressed. They're very professional. They have a plan, and they know how to make it work. It's definitely a good atmosphere to be in.

I'm approaching things the same way this spring as I did last year. I know I'm not competing for a job, but I'm always competing with myself. I'm always looking to get better, always looking to tweak things and find a way to improve.

I felt really good for three innings then kind of tired out in the fourth. I'm still trying to get my muscle memory back from last season, but that's what spring training is for.

This was pretty encouraging. It's got me ready to compete, the way this whole day went. Jim Tracy has made it clear what he expects from us, what he believes we can do. Now, it's up to us.

My folks had an idea of what my value was. And they wanted to stick with it.

Anytime you've got someone with his track record, and you see management goes out and gets someone like that, it kind of gives us the sense that, 'Oh, they really want to see us make the next step,' ... I think everybody should be excited.

You'd like to have that veteran presence. But I think if we are being successful, there is no such thing as too much youth.

For me, this game boils down to the first inning. I walk a guy and make one mistake. He's going to hit that pitch.

It's just one of those situations where either I am going to take it or I'm not. It's not a big deal. I'm not angry at the Pirates at all. It's just one of those situations where it's just a contract.

It feels a lot better. I think I'm going to have to miss a start, though, unless I make a big-time recovery here in the next few days,

I'm still trying to make the team. I never take anything for granted. I always work hard. For me, it kind of adds pressure, and I like that. I have motivation to work if I think like that. There are expectations of me, and I love it. I want to work hard to meet those.

There's a lot of structure with him, but that's a positive. You can tell that he and the other coaches really believe in what they are teaching. And he's had success with it, so as a player, you're going to listen.

So far it's been pretty good to me. It's such a fun place to play. It's just a good place as a baseball player to come.

I'm not unhappy or anything. It's a business. It's kind of a rite-of-passage type of thing.

When you first come up, you have to prove you can stay here. Once you've established that, the next thing has to be, 'OK, how can I help the team today' ... That's how I look at it. I don't play to lose. I want to win every game my name is involved with, and that's any game this team plays.

It took me a while to get back on track. Early in this game, I didn't feel right but I was able to make an adjustment in the fourth inning and just kind of cruised after that.

They got the hops and bounces. I got some luck at the beginning when I came up. I'll go along and keep throwing my game.

This game has a way of evening things out. Our time will come.

Seeing that money getting spent, I think, is motivation for all of us to do better. Kevin is saying to us that the money's going to be available if you perform.

I feel like I could pitch. But at the same time, the team is going to be cautious and I can deal with it. I just want to make sure I am 100 percent.

Just facing Maddux. That's greatness, ... Any time I'm on the same field with greatness, that's something I'll always remember.

It was good to get going, sit down a little bit, let it stiffen up and get back out there, ... I don't think I'm too far off.