Brian Bannister
Brian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannisteris an American former professional baseball starting pitcher. He played for the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball from 2006 through 2010 and is currently the assistant pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox...
aware cool hit hopefully inside knew stir trying
I didn't want to stir anything up. When we went in, we went in. I was just more aware what we were doing. Once I went through the lineup, hopefully they knew I wasn't going inside and trying to hit anybody. Hopefully it would cool off.
advantage compliment faith fears guys leap rely rotation spring team took trying win
They took a leap of faith to put me in the rotation right away. It's a compliment and I'm just trying to take advantage of it, like I did in spring training. It's one of those things I've got to get over my own fears of being out there. Once that happens, I feel like I can be a part of this team and really just rely on these guys to win games.
advantage guys rely spring team trying
I'm trying to take advantage of it like in spring training. It's one of those things where I'd like to get over with it now and go out there, and once that happens, then I feel like I can be a part of this team and really just rely on these guys like they can on me.
both hope spot
Eventually, I hope they find a spot for both of us.
I was nervous. I know what's at stake.
assistant built third
I was the third assistant on the shoot. We built the set and everything.
afraid credit giving good guys hitters pitch trouble
I think I've been giving these guys too much credit for being good hitters. I know they are good hitters up here, but I can't be afraid to pitch to them. When I get in trouble I am able to go after them.
almost blessing early fourth pitches settle until
I didn't really settle down until the fourth inning. It was almost a blessing that it was cold. It made me concentrate on my pitches. I made pitches when I had to. But I wasn't right early in the count.
approach guys pitch pitches walk
My approach is I don't give in. I'll walk guys before I'll give them a pitch they can drive. I'll keep making my pitches all day.
behind dragging felt second third weight
I felt it going to second and I slowed down. I didn't think it was anything but when I got to third and planted, it grabbed. It felt like I was dragging a big weight behind me.
bad behind dragging felt glad knew leg painful running walking weight
I felt like I was dragging a big weight behind me because I was dragging that leg along. I knew it wasn't bad because I was still walking and running on it. If it was torn, you're going down, so I knew it wasn't bad. It was very painful and I'm just glad I made it home.
ready
I feel like I'm ready to go out there and pitch.
aaron friends-or-friendship giving good happy means opportunity preference spring tough wants
This whole spring has been tough because Aaron and I have become good friends. I know his preference is to start. I know I'm getting an opportunity and I'm happy about that, but I know it means he's giving up something he wants to do. I know this is about what Aaron can do in the bullpen.
belief best career everybody faith gets gives goes hard hard-work reason starting team winning work
It's a knack, it's a gift, and there's also a lot of hard work that goes into it. There's a reason you have a .700 career winning percentage. He always gives his team a chance. When he gets on the mound, everybody just has a faith in him. That's the best thing you can do as a starting pitcher: give your team a belief they're going to win that night.