NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS v BRAVES

October 13, 1999

Bobby Valentine

BOBBY VALENTINE: This is a big game for us, obviously, because it's the game we're playing. But we'd sure like to go back with a win under our belts.

BOBBY VALENTINE: We were on the bay there in Flushing, and we have quite a bit of this rolling in on us. We've had games that have -- it's been there for a while, and we've had a lot of delays, but we've played it. I don't really know our record. We will have Jay look that up, he has one of those stats there, I'm sure. We're okay. We play in it. We don't have that much speed; so it's not one of the things we worry about.

BOBBY VALENTINE: When I came in, none of the players had seen me. That was about 10:30. But now that I'm walking around, I don't know what my demeanor is. It's one of the -- I feel good about today.

BOBBY VALENTINE: I try to talk to the players, yes. When you have a situation like this and the media isn't allowed in the clubhouse, and you have a rain delay where batting practice is probably going to be inside, in that span of four hours or so that you're all hanging around in the same confined area, you get to see just about everybody more -- I'm sure more than they want to see me. So far, I've talked to about 12, 13, 14 of the guys who were here early.

BOBBY VALENTINE: Because that's what I do. I get a workout in; so I'm not the training room when other guys are in the training room. And then I go into the weight room there; so I'm not using any of the equipment the guys might want to use. And I eat and take my shower and go over all the things from last night, look at last night's game and get ready.

BOBBY VALENTINE: It really wasn't a message. I asked them what they were having for breakfast a couple of them, and I asked a couple of them about lunch, because they got there a little later (laughter). We talked about the schedule for tomorrow, the workout; if they thought the passes were okay for their wives. We had a lot of conversation this morning.

BOBBY VALENTINE: Individually, no. They know. We've been through this going on 170 times now, and this is a game we're going to play. We know what we have to do. I think there will be a little pregame thing, as there has been just about every playoff, but it will be very short and brief, and it won't be anything traumatic.

BOBBY VALENTINE: Mike's not here yet. Yoshii's ankle is sore. He has been in the training room. It doesn't feel that bad, but there's definitely something there, that hopefully, treatment will cure. I don't know what he had for breakfast. Johnny Franco was into the donuts early, and Cook had lunch.

BOBBY VALENTINE: He didn't complain at all about the thumb. He never mentioned it. I checked with the trainer just about every time they brushed up against each other. He had no treatment that I know of after the game. I think the adjustment is to the Atlanta pitching, and just the fact that he hadn't played in a few days, getting his timing back.

BOBBY VALENTINE: You know, I think the team meeting is a little overblown. I think there's a perception out there that you have that talk, and it really gets the guys up and inspired and emotionally high for the game. I think at times in a season that's necessary. When we played Atlanta at home, I felt it was necessary. I think we had a pretty good one. They are far and few between, and I think they can be overdone and work in reverse of what you're looking for. I think it isn't the team sport that's played by individuals. The game itself is on the scoreboard, and the game-within-the-game is the pitcher against the hitter. And I think if you can ease or direct the minds of the individual in the proper direction or a few individuals who might need it, it's a lot better to do that individually than to try to do it in group form, where that individual might be staring at the clock or tying his shoelaces.

BOBBY VALENTINE: I have no clue. Some seasons it might be a lot. Some seasons it might be a few. I have no idea. Some teams, it might be a lot, and some teams, it might be a few.

BOBBY VALENTINE: I remember answering that question when I was a young guy about Reggie Jackson; why in the world does he respond so well? I always thought it was because he had better talent and he used all of his talent in big games. I think Al Leiter has very good talent. And I think in these games that are important, he doesn't leave anything in the locker room; he leaves it all on the field. And his stuff, like, Greg Maddux of yesterday who has better talent and rises to an occasion, sometimes talent prevails.