Javier Valentin
Javier Valentin
José Javier Valentín Rosariois a retired catcher in Major League Baseball. From 2004-2008, he played for the Cincinnati Reds after playing with the Tampa Bay Devil Raysand playing in four brief stints for the Minnesota Twins from 1997-2002. He is the younger brother of former Major League Baseball second baseman José Valentín. In 2005, he hit .281 with a career-high 14 home runs as a backup catcher for the Reds. He is a switch-hitter. Valentín played briefly at first base...
changes close everybody finish half happy hard pitching season second since team worked
I've been really happy about the way the team has come around in the second half of the season, ... And I think I'm a part of that. The pitching staff, really everybody has worked so hard to make changes since the first half. We're going to finish the season close to .500 and that was the goal. Finish .500 and finish positive.
ball chance couple gave great needs pitchers playing washington
E.Z. is one of those pitchers that needs to relax. He needs to keep the ball down. It?s different when we?re playing in Washington on a big field. He has to make the adjustment. After the first couple of innings, he made the adjustment. He gave us a chance to win. He pitched a great game.
careful miss pitch
He's going to try to be careful with me and he's only going to give me one pitch to hit, ... In that situation, I can't miss that pitch.
gives miss pitch situation
He's going to give me one pitch to hit. That's why it's a situation where I can't miss that pitch. Because if I miss the pitch he gives me to hit, I know I'm going to be in trouble.
ball gave hit knew pitch soon throw trying
The only thing I was trying to do was put the ball in play. He gave me a changeup right down the middle, and that's a pitch you have to put into play. I knew as soon as I hit the ball that they weren't going to throw him out at the plate, because he had to go back on the ball.
looks pitch talked
He looks much better. I talked to him and told him to pitch just like he pitched at Triple-A.
ball bit swing trying
I've been trying to shorten my swing a bit more, ... I'm also trying to see the ball more. That's the only change.
happen
You don't know what's going to happen on a play like that,
found good
It found a hole. It's good enough for me.
continue playing
We can play with anybody. If we continue to play the way we're playing now, we're going to be there.
four starting
I'm starting to feel comfortable after getting four at-bats Sunday,
ask chance
Give me an opportunity. That?s all I ask for. Just give me a chance to make the team.
man
I don't know, man. ... What can I say?
continue
Finally, we've got everything together. We can play with anybody. If we can continue to play like we are now, we're going to be there.