Rich Harden
Rich Harden
James Richard "Rich" Hardenis a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher. He has pitched for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball...
baseball chance dream game hold lightly love pitch possible ready represent shape start throwing trust
There's no possible way I'd be ready to pitch (in the World Baseball Classic). Trust me, I'd love to have the chance to represent my country, that's everyone's dream to hold the flag. But I would have had to start throwing by mid-December to be in game shape by then and I've just started to throw lightly now.
bit games
You did see a little bit of everything. That's why I just need to get in more games, because simulated games are completely different.
felt few game good happened sudden
That's why it was so frustrating. I felt good through the first two outs (of the sixth) and then, bam. That happened a few times in the game where all of a sudden things went bad.
believe bit game looking
I didn't know about the shoes, but I believe it. When you pitch, you're always looking for things like that. It's a game of inches, and every little bit helps.
awhile expected feels felt game second since third
The first game every year, I'm a little excited. It has been awhile since I pitched. It feels like a long time. It was pretty much what I expected after being sick. In the second inning, I was tired, and the third inning I felt it.
best came either gave good left pitches speed swing time trouble
Every time I gave up a run, we came back and got a run. That was huge. I didn't have my best stuff. I was making pitches with my fastball. I was having a little trouble with my off speed pitches. Either they weren't good enough to swing at or they were too good, and I left them up.
bound possibly trying wrong
Everything that could possibly go wrong did. Things are going well for us, so something like that was bound to happen. Everything I was trying to do, they were right on it.
asking crossed few mind reporters season starting until
The thought never crossed my mind about not starting the season until a few reporters started asking me about it. In my mind, I'll be there. I'll be ready.
coming confident felt mind
There's nothing you can do. He's already made up his mind. I felt confident with Kiko coming in.
eating finally normally past regular routine side three throwing tuesday work
I was throwing up all day Tuesday and Wednesday. I've been eating normally the past three days. Now I can finally get into my regular routine of long toss, side work and lifting.
goes hopefully next outing pitch shut
I was getting pretty frustrated, ... I'd go out and have to shut it down. Hopefully my next outing goes well and then I can think about where I will pitch when I come back.
falling hit mound offense puts shutting team walk work
I was falling off the mound a little bit. I was inconsistent. One hitter, I'd hit my spots. Then, suddenly, I'd walk a guy. As a staff, we've got to work on shutting down the other team after the offense puts up some runs.
definitely felt good
It felt really good actually, ... It was definitely a positive.
felt good overall shoulder stronger work
It felt good to get back out there finally, ... Overall I was a little stronger than I expected. I did a lot of strengthening work on my shoulder with the trainers.