If it goes seven games, it's seven separate seasons. Each game lives on its own merit.

If we win our last two games, then we go in on our own merit, not on somebody else's. I think that's the most important thing right now.

[The Yankees have 26 games left, all of them against AL East teams. Only the Red Sox, whom they play six times, are above .500.] We have confidence in our abilities, ... Now it's just up to us to play well.

[It was the Yankees' second straight loss and third in five games.] I don't think it's fatigue, ... Right now we're flat. We need a pick-me-up.

I think there's more of opportunity to win games in the National League than the American League because there are more decisions to make.

I've been through a lot in my career, ... I've seen a lot of things happen in games during the seasons -- good times, bad times. I've had a lot of adversity I've dealt with in my career. I know we're going to go through that this year. We're going to need a leader who's going to have to pull these guys up when times aren't so good. I've been through a lot, and I am just ready to take control.