(When we hired a search firm) folks automatically assumed that we were at first base, and that couldn't be further from the truth. We're rounding third base.

When we hired Scotty Bowman, everything changed. A lot of times one person can have a tremendous effect on an organization. You know, Jim addressed right away you've got to have all your veterans on board. Ironically, the first thing Scotty told me was getting your veterans on the same page. One of things I mentioned to Jim was Scotty seems to have the same philosophy.

The first morning after I was hired, it was my wife ( Betsy ) who said, 'Holy (smoke), you're the head coach of the Buffalo Bills,'

He saw me a lot when he came to the park, because I was always backing up first base, ... He makes you feel pretty comfortable.

I looked to first to see if Tony Clark was going to advance, then I looked at third base. Both guys had their heads down so I just held onto the ball to see what would happen.

When the other club knows you're looking to take an extra base, they'll charge the ball more. When they have to charge, a tricky hop could mean the difference between getting around to third and having to stay at first.