NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS v BRAVES

October 11, 1999

Brian Jordan

BRIAN JORDAN: I don't think it prepared me for hitting behind Chipper. Hitting behind Mark last year was a lot of pressure. You had to perform or you would get booed out of stadium. Things worked out for me, and Mark, of course, broke the record. Hitting behind Chipper is no pressure at all. This guy, he can hit home runs; he can hit singles; steal second; get in scoring position, where that's a different position from last year. When Mark walks, he's going to be at first base, and you have to hit a home run or possible triple to score. So this is why I probably have 115 RBI's this year, because Chipper can run.

BRIAN JORDAN: My hand is a lot better. I've been working hard with Dr. Chandler, my trainers, Jeff and Dave and Bob Kearse, and he's been traveling with me throughout the playoffs. So they're keeping me prepared, and I'm just going out there and playing my normal game.

BRIAN JORDAN: I'd say early September, I thought my season was going to be over. I was struggling pretty bad. I was in a lot of pain and I was starting to lack a little confidence, and when that happens, you can pack your bags. So thank goodness that Dr. Chandler and the trainers and Bob Kearse got together and figured something out to help me. Because it's definitely helped me, because I've returned to my normal self at the end of the year.

BRIAN JORDAN: Yes. Early, I tried shots,, Cortisone shots, and I probably had about five or six Cortisone shots in my wrist and hand. But things just didn't work out. The pain was still there, and it was affecting my swing. And I finally, Bob Kearse and Dr. Chandler got together, and they used a cross-friction method, which basically puts me in more pain than I'm already in, to kind of relax you and lessen the pain, come game time. And it seems to work. Actually, my wrist is feeling a lot better. I think Bob said my joint was so jammed up in my wrist, and that was the reason for all my pain. So what he did was actually pull it and reach in and just put me in a lot of pain, but actually it loosened up my joint and now I can swing.

BRIAN JORDAN: It does, definitely. There's nothing more I wanted than to perform in big games. And we're in big games, now that we're in the postseason. To be able to come through for the team is a great joy for me.

BRIAN JORDAN: You just missed that. He used a cross-friction method on my hand, which basically puts you in more pain than you're already in to actually lessen the pain come game time. And that was just pulling my joint apart and really loosening it up and digging in there to where I was in a lot of pain. And when the game began, I didn't even think about it.

BRIAN JORDAN: That's a no-brainer. I mean it's pretty tough in New York. We just played there two weeks ago, and it was playoff environment then. They were fighting for -- trying to make it to the playoffs. And the fans are awesome, if you're the home team. They're harder when -- they love the game of baseball, and they cheer for their Mets and expect them to win. They're going to be all over us, and we expect it.

BRIAN JORDAN: I tell you, it's surprising. I've been spoiled because I've been in St. Louis for the last six years, and they're true baseball fans. Win, lose or draw, they're always there. And to come here and to be in a postseason and don't have a sellout crowd is surprising. I know they are used to the Atlanta Braves winning, but not winning the big game one time. Any way you want to help your team, I think you should be here. I'm disappointed. Like I said, I'm spoiled from St. Louis.

BRIAN JORDAN: It's tough, especially being a right-hand hitter, and the guy is throwing almost a hundred miles an hour. I compare him to Billy Wagner, which I hate to face this guy. I haven't got a hit yet. But he comes right at you. He has a great slider, curve ball, and he's pretty deadly.

BRIAN JORDAN: Chipper has been calm, cool and collected all year long. I don't think he's going to change. Words are words. You can't change them. You've just got to go out there and play your game, and let your actions speak. I don't think Chipper is going to retaliate anyway about the comments. Believe me, they're going to come at Chipper, and he's going to come through for us.

BRIAN JORDAN: I could say so, just that New York City thing. I mean, whenever you go there and the fans are going to try to rattle you and get all over you; so you eventually say you can't stand New York. You've just got to go up there with that attitude and be aggressive, play your game and try to win. The manager is the manager. I played under LaRussa, he's similar to LaRussa, those guys like to control the game. That's their bottom line. That's their style of baseball, and that's the way it is. I have nothing against Valentine personally, but I enjoy beating him.

BRIAN JORDAN: I had one experience in the playoff game with the Falcons. I think it's that same environment. I get really pumped up and really excited. I'm more excited on the road than at home, because you get all the rattling from the fans, and all the bad mouth and bad words thrown at you out there. It kind of pumps me up even more, so I enjoy it.

BRIAN JORDAN: I'd say they were my third choice. I like Phillips, the general manager there; they entertained me well. And I knew that he wanted to win, and I knew he was going to go out and get the guys in there to win. And he's done a great job, and I give him a lot of credit. I was fairly close to signing with the Mets.

BRIAN JORDAN: You know, the Braves and the Yankees were right there, neck and neck.

BRIAN JORDAN: Don has been a tremendous help to me and all the players on the team. For one, he has an interest in the game, he has an interest in what you do at bat. He's not afraid to speak his mind and let you know what he thinks, and he's always in the cage, always ready to work with you. I don't care what time of day it is. And to me, that's helped us out a lot all year.