AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: INDIANS v YANKEES

October 5, 1998

Dwight Gooden

DWIGHT GOODEN: Well, actually I saw him last year a little bit in spring training and last year when I was in Columbus rehab in Triple A, I got to play with him a little bit. He is definitely a power hitter. We are just trying to figure out, I guess; now waiting first-time to go guys around the league, whether it is a hitter or pitcher, you try to pick up the weaknesses and right now he hasn't shown much of what his weaknesses are.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Well, I think with that - Ray Negrone over here with the Yankees did a lot of work with the Yankees as well as myself and Darryl, now he is working a lot with Bartolo. I think that had a lot to do with it. I guess Ray talking to Bartolo a lot about Darryl and that probably had a lot to do with it putting the number on the hat.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Well, I don't really think it is a disappointment. Obviously no secret, I love pitching here. I have played thirteen years here in New York. I want an opportunity to pitch; whether it is here or Cleveland really doesn't matter. Obviously I would have preferred to pitch here, but it is not a disappointment at all.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Well, actually when we saw him the last time we were here talking a little bit, at that time he mentioned about having some pain in his stomach and he wanted to get checked out, but he wasn't sure he could get through it. Talked to him Thursday over the phone when I was in Boston, haven't talked to him since the surgery. I am going to try to go by tomorrow before I come to the ballpark.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Well, any time you see a guy -- I met Darryl in '83, you know, we became very close after that, especially the time we spent with the Mets and you care more for a guy off the field than you do on the field because baseball is going to be here. We have to live our life after that. So any time you see a good friend like that go through something like that, it is very touching and you feel for that person.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Well, talking to Mike Hargrove he told me today, I guess tomorrow and the following day Wednesday I will be in the bullpen, if needed; hopefully not - that means starter didn't do too well. If that goes well, then I will be the Game 4 starter.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Well, couple of guys came in after that game and said they needed that to get them pumped up or whatever, but again I don't want to make a living pumping up guys that way. I rather do it between the lines.

DWIGHT GOODEN: You know, the first time we came here to play them, obviously didn't get to pitch, but you replay it in your mind how you are going to face different guys; you go over different situations. And you look forward to the buildup, but I think once you take the field, then they just becomes another ballclub.

DWIGHT GOODEN: I really don't know. Either way it will be great. The fans here have been - I mean, unbelievable supporters for me through the ups and downs, many times where they probably could have turned their back, maybe they should have at times, but they stood with me. I still receive great fan mail from the fans here in New York; just going out on the field will be very special to me.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Yankees now because I mean, once we get through them, then we are on our way.

DWIGHT GOODEN: Not at all. In this situation it is all about winning no matter who the opposing team is. It is nothing personal. You just try to get to that next level. Right now that means we have got to get through the Yankees.