AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RED SOX v YANKEES

October 13, 2004

John Olerud

JOHN OLERUD: Well, I think it's definitely hard when you get released by a ballclub. It's not anything that you want to have happen to you. But, I mean, I was hoping that I would get another opportunity to play. I think when you get a release over the year, you don't know if there's going to be an opportunity or if there's going to be an opening. But I was hoping that I would get an opportunity.

JOHN OLERUD: In that situation I've got two strikes on me and against Pedro that's a bad position to be in because he can do so many different things to get you out. So, you know, really I'm up there, I'm trying to protect the plate and just get the bat on the ball and got a fastball up and in and I just did a good job of getting to it.

JOHN OLERUD: When I got here, we had some come-from-behind games where we scored a bunch of runs late if ballgames. That's what everybody was telling me; that's the way it's been a lot this year, is the come-from-behind wins when you need a big hit that we've been getting a big hit. It's kind of continued to go that way, latter part of the season and into the post post-season. So, you know, it's just a lot of fun to be a part of it.

JOHN OLERUD: Let's see. Probably I think four teams, four teams. You know, there's a lot of things that go into making a decision when you have some options or you have a number of teams you're looking for a good opportunity playing-wise. You know, all of the teams that were interested me in at the time were in pennant races, so you just look for a situation where it's just the best fit for you. For me, New York was definitely the best fit for me.

JOHN OLERUD: Say that again? What is it like for me to watch or be a part of it?

JOHN OLERUD: Well, I think I've been watching it at home. I got to the World Series pretty early in my career, and I think having not made it back to the World Series, I think just let's you know how difficult it is and how special it is. So I think that's the thing that hits home is just how difficult it is to get there and how special it is. And as far as my wife, yeah, she's been able to come to the games, so she's been here.

JOHN OLERUD: I don't know. I would say it ranks right up there. It's definitely the freshest in my mind, that's for sure. (Laughter.)

JOHN OLERUD: If I didn't get picked up by a team?

JOHN OLERUD: Oh, I would be back home in Medinah, Washington. And my kids, I've got my son who would be in school, taking care of the kids, getting ready to have another baby here.