Q: Mat, the season is quickly approaching, spring training begins in a couple weeks. This team was awful last season, what can you promise the fans this year?
A: We'll be competitive, no doubt. And when I say competitive, I'm saying we're going to contend for the AL East title. I don't give a [expletive deleted] what anyone says about that. We have a solid cast of pitchers and I really like our lineup. We're gonna bat Bobbo 3rd, we will get solid run production from the top half of the lineup, 2nd half needs to step up.
Q: Speaking of the 2nd half, Deivi Cruz, the 24-yr-old rook will be your starting SS. What do you expect from Deivi?
A: Solid defense. Offense probably won't be there. We will bunt Deivi from time to time. But the defense ought to be solid. It's tough to start a rook at such an important position but Deivi is solid with he glove, I expect him to be a top 5 shortstop in the league.
Q: Brian Hunter is a prolific base stealer, how will you use him this year?
A: Well, Hunter's OBP is lower than we'd like, but when he gets on we will be running him into the ground. If we can use Hunter effectively, we can really help aid our offense because we need to be able to match the offense of Baltimore and New York. Everything this year is about competing with those guys. We will be taking risks, no doubt, we can't afford not to. Fans will appreciate the hard scrabble ball, I think.
Q: You're only 24, young for a manager, do these guys respect you?
A: They better. No bullshitting or fucking around this season. I want to see game faces. No sluts on road trips. We're playin dead serious ball, we're out to slit throats, we're betting the house this season. If we start impressing people, we will gain confidence and maybe we can snag a wildcard.
Q: What do you think of the new interleague play this season?
A: I don't like it but we got to get these people to the park so oh well. I wish we had more games vs. Yanks and Baltimore so we can makeup games.
Q: Tiger Stadium will allow titties to be shown during 7th inning stretch. Does this harm the integrity of the game?
A: No, it enhances the game. I like the new weed and alcohol rules, I don't give a fuck. Who cares, look we'll be pulling 11,000 fans a game if we're lucky, let the loyals do as they please.
Q: Any last thoughts?
A: .500 at worst, division title at best. Fuck all haters, fuck em all. This is what we always wanted to do, pussies.
