Quotes by Jeff Suppan

“Its funny because, when I hit it, I just tried to run as hard as I could, and I dont really remember much.”

“I had a tough time with my slider; it was off the plate a lot. I work on staying focused and keeping my concentration at the level it needs to be. Sometimes, it may take five pitches to get that one out.”

“Youre going to go out there and you may feel good, you may feel bad; that really doesnt matter, ... You have to go out and make pitches. Sometimes it may take five pitches to get that one out, but youve got to keep grinding it. With our team, anything can happen.”

“I dont feel like Im laboring, ... Im just concentrating on that one pitch and letting things happen. Im trying to use the defense. I havent really thought about (start to start). Im just focusing on the now.”

“Basically, I was in shock. I just couldnt believe it. Somebody called me earlier that morning to tell me an appointment my wife had was cancelled because of what happened and I was like, What happened? I [turned on the television to] see the first building on fire, not knowing what happened. I was sitting there in shock. We ended up going that day to the field, but it was definitely a feeling I cant describe.”

“This is something I have been looking forward to for a long time. Its something I want to bring awareness to. Maybe [people] will see that and want to contribute to fallen soldiers families and their children. This is a small thing I can do as an American.”

“I want to keep my mind in the same frame of mind every start. So, when I got out there, what Ive done in the past against these guys doesnt matter. What Ive done in the past this year doesnt matter. What matters is that particular pitch Im throwing.”

“[His fosh is one of the pitches Suppan throws in the bullpen when warming up for a start because of its importance. He holds the ball with splayed fingers, and its crucial that his arm action on the change duplicates his delivery on his fastball. Otherwise, the ruse is ineffective.] If you have a dominant fastball, it takes people off that fastball if youre able to locate the changeup, ... If you can throw a fastball changeup, and it looks the same each time, thats a pretty tough combination.”

“Really Im just getting ready to pitch, whenever that is.”

“As a starter you have to be able to adapt to what is put in front of you. Obviously, you dont like to wait that long but sometimes you have to.”