I had no trouble communicating, the player's just didn't like what I had to say.

Listen, I was the first black manager in baseball and there was incredible pressure. I don't blame anyone else. I was too tough . . . I lack patience. I probably got on guys a little too hard, with the wrong tone of voice.

The way we're going... if I called up another pitcher, he'd just hang up the phone on me.

No. 1, these guys out here on this field. They keep my energy level up. They try hard, they don't complain about things - and I'd just like to be with them when things are good, and hopefully we can win a pennant together.

All in all, I wouldn't call it a bad outing. It was a short outing.

But I'm not going to walk Barry Bonds, like some teams do, in the first inning with nobody on.

If the guys on the bench were as good as the guys you have out there, they'd be out there in first place.