Jason Grilli: 'Happy To Talk About Last Year, But We're Also Sick & Tired Of It'
BRADENTON (93-7 The Fan) – Pirates closer Jason Grilli sat down with "The Fan Morning Show" at Spring Training this week to chat about his offseason and what he's looking forward to in 2014.
Here is some of what he had to say:
On getting started in 2014:
"We're happy to talk about last year, but we're also sick and tired of it, because it's about this year. We've progressed in the right direction. We know we're good. There's so much talent in here. Hopefully, the trend continues here, and that's our plan.
On finding more success in 2014, perhaps even winning a World Series title:
"I have a second-place ring. I want that first-place ring. The core is definitely bigger in that clubhouse. The confidence is high. There's a little bit more experience there now. We know that we're not doormats by any means in our division, and the guys that are playing against us, I think they're taking us a lot more seriously."
On the rest of the Pirates' bullpen holding down the fort while he was injured last season:
"I'm given the name 'closer,' but we have a lot of them here. It's funny to hear guys that have played against us. Hitters come over, and they're going, 'God, I hate facing you guys,' because everybody throws a billion here. I think the two softest throwers in our pen are me and [set-up man Mark] Melancon (laughs)."
On concerns that he might break down:
"I don't pay any attention to that. I go out there and throw every pitch like it's going to going to be my last, and what happens is what's going to happen. I'm not worried about injury. I don't tap dance around trying to just be here. I'm going to go out there and give it my all."
The interview can be heard here:
The Fan Morning Show will be broadcasting live from Pirates spring training in Bradenton every day this week. Listen to them live 5:40-10 a.m. and visit 937thefan.com to get interview summaries and audio after the show.
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