Spring [season] is for training mainly. Most of the training we do in spring is preparing for the fall.

[This season] has taught me that when I go through a winter and go into spring training, I want to have a closer, to tell you the truth. We tried the system earlier in the season. That was not successful for us.

It was at spring training in Arizona and it was my third season and the Warriors were doing really lousy. I walked into the A's press box, and Bill walked up to me and introduced himself, and said he empathized with me. He remembered when the Warriors traded Wilt Chamberlain to Philadelphia in the 1960s, and he said to stay positive.

I've been ready for spring training since the day after last season ended. It was extremely frustrating to have to sit on the bench and watch for the last five weeks. I never want to have that happen again.

I love feeling the crispness of fall and the sensuality of spring.

It's hard for a shortstop to play with a guy you don't know in the middle of the season. If you know a guy early in spring training, you're working with them.