NL DIVISION SERIES: METS v DIAMONDBACKS

October 9, 1999

John Franco

JOHN FRANCO: I don't really want to think about Subway Series right now. We have got to think about Atlanta. We are enjoying right now the moment about what happened 20 minutes ago so we are just enjoying that. All that other stuff if it happens it will be great. Right now we have to worry about playing the Braves in a couple of days.

JOHN FRANCO: I get up three times and warm up before I even come in the game, I was just hoping that I didn't run out of gas and leave it down in the bullpen. Once you get called in the game your adrenaline starts going, trying to stay composed and stay within yourself. The main thing to to do is come out try and throw strikes and give my guys behind me a chance to feel the ball and keep the ball down; don't make a mistake. That is what I did.

JOHN FRANCO: Maybe in his own mind he doesn't think but I think there is 24 or 25 guys in that locker room think he is a hero today. Todd Pratt has got the toughest job in baseball sitting behind one of the best catchers, one of the best players in baseball. And sitting day in day out not being able to play got to be tough. So, the thing about Todd is he keeps working and works hard and when the opportunity comes he takes advantage of it. The two weeks that Mike was hurt earlier in the year, he did a helluva job and now that Mike got hurt yesterday and today, he called a good game yesterday and did a hell of a job today.

JOHN FRANCO: I felt fine coming into the game. Couple of those pitches were close; it could have gone either way. Main thing is I got him out, I don't care if I went 3 and 0 on the first two. As long as I got them out. If I can get out it gives us a chance to win like you said before.

JOHN FRANCO: Well, you know, they had their way with us this year that is for sure. We just hope that we can continue to play well the way we have been and hopefully we give it a good series. The three games that we played down in Atlanta were 3 tough games and the 3 games we played here were tough games. If that is any indication of what is going to happen it is going to be a helluva series.

JOHN FRANCO: Well, if you think about it, the wild pitch against Pittsburgh; dropped fly ball today, backup catcher hitting a game winner home run, maybe there is something going on here, so we are just going to enjoy it while we can.

JOHN FRANCO: I remember Tug McGraw and 69 Mets when they were, you know, down by so many games they came back to win. 73 of course you remember the fight with Pete Rose and Bud Harrelson. 86, the team I was playing in Cincinnati they were such a good team that you hated them even before you even played them. The history of this team and it has been a long time, just to be part of it right now growing up as a Met fan, getting the win probably biggest game here in 11 years, I am ecstatic right now. Words can't describe how I am feeling inside. I am just enjoying the heck out of it right now.

JOHN FRANCO: I always root for the Yankees I am a New York fan whether it be the Yankee, Mets, Knicks, Jets, Giants, I am so-so about, but -- if it is a New York team I am going to root for them. I got a lot of friends on the Yankees and Mel Stottlemyre old pitching coach, David Cone, Strawberry, Tino Martinez, Allen Watson, you know, I root for them.

JOHN FRANCO: Well, sure like to win a lot sooner that is for sure. But you know, sometimes good things happen to those who wait and hopefully some more good things will happen down the road.

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