Ramirez: ‘The more I play the better I get'

Before the game Manny Ramirez walked out of the clubhouse, wrapped myself and another reporter in his arms and dragged us down the tunnel. He said "Let's go!" And we did, peppering him with questions for five minutes. Here is the transcript.Thank you very much for taking the time. How do you feel?Manny Ramirez: I feel great, like I've been telling everybody this is like spring training for me. Having been playing for the whole year I was in extended spring facing each other. I feel good, the more I play the better I get.Anything particular you are working on at the plate?Manny Ramirez: The more pitches I see, that's why I am taking a lot of breaking balls and fastballs. Because the more pitches I see, the more better I get.How has your approach progressed? Manny Ramirez: Remember I have only played in eight games, I missed a year. I am just being patient to myself. How close are you to being ready?Manny Ramirez: It's going to take time, but I am getting there slowly, the only way you going to get there is going in there and facing pitchers, you know getting yourself out. Something is going to click and then you are there.Do you feel like you have gotten noticeably better from the first inning you played with these guys and today?Manny Ramirez: Like I said, I haven't played in a year so, you miss a year and its going to take a lot. You see a lot of guys in the big leagues or in here, that they played a whole year. So imagine missing a year.Is it refreshing to come back to the minor leagues? Out of the spotlight? Manny Ramirez: Well this is the time for you to work. You going to work on something, this is the time here in extended spring. This is where you just see it to get your start. Forget about what everyone is expecting, just concentrate on what you need to do. Do you feel like you've seen enough pitches at this point? Manny Ramirez: I have got to keep seeing them, I have only played eight games. Guys in the big leagues they played how many games 50 almost? And some people are still just trying to get their timing. Imagine if you've only got eight games. Are you just looking for that first extra base hit? Manny Ramirez: No, I am just looking for the feeling. I take one day off, I get rusty, you take a year off.

If the A's make the call, are you going to be ready on May 30? Manny Ramirez: I am going to go give my best. Why not? That's all you can do is go try. God gave me this talent and I still have it. On Friday you said all pitches are still giving you trouble, Are you getting used to seeing all pitches? Manny Ramirez: I'm just going out there and swinging and getting my rhythm, have fun and enjoy the game like I always do and move on.How tough was last year, just missing the game and missing your routine and all of that?Manny Ramirez: You do something for 19 years and you don't have it, you are going to miss it. But God gave it to me back. And everyday it doesn't matter if it is good or bad, I am just going to enjoy myself. Is that the main reason you decided to come back?Manny Ramirez: I love the game, and I know I can play. Like I said, people said when are you going to come back I miss you? So I decided to make a run for it.Do you feel like you have a chip on your shoulder? Manny Ramirez: Why not? God gave me the talent. I am just going to go and enjoy it. And trust myself. This is a time for me to work. This is a time if I want to hit with two strikes, if I want to swing 3-0, this is the time to do it. Because once you come up everything changes. Why not? You are going to practice something practice it here when it doesn't count. How do you feel you can help the A's? Manny Ramirez: I'm just going to do my job.Do you enjoy working with minor league guys? Being a teacher? Manny Ramirez: I'm not a teacher. Most of them have done time in the big leagues. They know what to do. We just go and have fun.