DBacks_Galarraga
4/12/11
2:55 PM
Page 4
AZSAL: You are coming from a Detroit team that was in contention for the division, and for the Wild Card spot. Do you feel more or less pressure coming to a Diamondbacks team that suffered so much last season, finishing 26 games out of the Wild Card spot? Galarraga: I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t think about it. Something that I learned is that you get ready for the moment. I try not to start thinking about, "Oh my God, I’m going to pitch in a couple of weeks and I don’t know anyone in the National League." I’m just in the moment, focusing on the same day. I just prepare myself by working hard. In the moment, this is it. I put in everything I can. AZSAL: For fans of the Diamondbacks that haven’t gotten to see you play much, how would you describe yourself, and your game? Galarraga: I would describe the guy that always goes on the mound and does the best he can. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but you know what? When I throw my jersey in the laundry I know I’ve done the best for myself. AZSAL: What are the team’s goals for the 2011 season? Galarraga: There are a lot of young people here that want to prove themselves. We just take it day by day and give you everything and you will see the results after that. AZSAL: What are your personal goals for the 2011 season? Galarraga: This is a long season; I’m not a person to make a goal for a long time. I’m just making it a goal to make the rotation and then to go out and win games. AZSAL: You and Jim Joyce are co-writing a book together, will you tell me a little bit about it? Galarraga: It is going to be a good book. We dedicated a lot of our time. Jim Joyce did himself, and so did I. We are both professionals. I am excited to hear the comments from other people because we gave everything. We gave all our heart to that book.
their decision. But we have shown already to lots of people that we are professionals. He was behind the plate a few weeks later (after what happened) against Baltimore and we worked great. Nobody had a problem with it. If they’re saying they don’t want to put him behind the plate because anyone feels uncomfortable, I don’t have any problem with that. AZSAL: When is the book due to be released? Galarraga: The day I throw a perfect game we are going to open it to the public! (The book is rumored to be out in May 2011) AZSAL: What were your impressions of the new Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the Diamondbacks spring training home? Galarraga: It’s crazy, it is unbelievable. It’s the best place I have played at so far. The quality of the stadium, the mounds and the design of the facility are pretty cool. It should make every player excited to be here. AZSAL: Are you excited to have the 2011 All Star festivities here in Arizona? Does it give you any more motivation to try to make the All Star team? Galarraga: For sure. I mean the first goal is to be in the rotation. Nothing is going to be easy or going to be given to me like that. This is a new team and a lot of people expect a lot of me. I have to prove to myself that I can be in the big leagues and that I can be a pitcher for a long time.
“I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t think about it. Something that I learned is that you get ready for the moment... I just
AZSAL: There are rumors that because of your work for “Nobody’s Perfect” with Jim Joyce, the MLB may restrict him from umpiring your games from now on. How do you feel about this? Do you think their reasoning is fair? Galarraga: I can’t say it is the right or wrong decision. Major League Baseball is the boss. If they want to do that, that is
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30 AZSPORTS&LIFESTYLE
MAY/JUNE 2011
prepare myself by working hard. In the moment, this is it. I put in everything I can.”