NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS v BRAVES

October 12, 1999

Kevin Millwood

KEVIN MILLWOOD: I think the biggest thing for me this year has been consistency. I haven't mixed in those bad starts in between two or three good ones, and that's probably been the biggest thing for me. I've learned how to pitch a lot more, just by sitting back and watching the other guys do it, and talking to them and trying to learn everything I can.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: It doesn't bother me at all. It's just an honor to be on the staff in the first place, just to be a part of it. It could be used as motivation. I've probably done that a few times, but I don't get bothered by it a whole lot. It's tough to break into the Smoltz, Glavine and Maddux game, I guess. These guys have done so much and for so long, and they'll probably continue to do it for a few more years. And until I do half the things that they have, I tip my hat to them. I can't expect to be included with those guys too much.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: Feels good. It's always fun to hear people say those three guys, and add my name to it. It still happens where they don't, and I understand that, too. But it's a good feeling to be included with those guys at any time.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: To an extent, I guess, for the whole season, I guess I would be the most consistent right now. Yeah, that makes me feel good when people say that. It's nice to be noticed. I'm not one to go out and beg for a lot of press or help people write good things about me. But it's always nice when people say those things about you, when you're on a staff like this one.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: Yeah, it does. Everybody here wants to win. And if we think that like going down to the bullpen, if it gives somebody confidence or it's going to help the ballclub, then that's what we're going to do.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: Well, the day I pitched here, I was pretty good that day. (Laughter). And it's just tough to compare because I was out there and I was pitching one inning and that's it. I was going out there and giving every bit of effort I had for that one inning, trying to get three guys out before they scored two runs. And I was effective at it, but I don't think I'd want to do it for a whole season.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: Before the game I was just trying to go over their hitters in my mind and try to figure out how I was going to get them out or how I had gotten them out in the past. And once the game started and I knew where all my pitches were and how good or bad they were, it started going so well there for a while, I didn't think about a whole lot. I just knew what I wanted to throw and I threw it.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: No, I don't think so. It was one of those days you don't come across too often.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: I don't know if it's sunk in yet. But like I said before, it's an honor to be on this staff in the first place. And I think a lot of people have said or considered me to be the so-called ace this year or whatever, but I don't see it that way. I'm just 1 of 4 pitchers or 1 of 11 pitchers this year that have went out and done the job. And that's what it is. We don't really have an ace on this staff, I don't think, even the last few years. We've had three or four guys that would be considered an ace on just about any other staff. And we're lucky enough to have them all on this team.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: I think for me Olerud is probably the toughest guy. He just kind of sits back there with a little short swing, and he can hit a line drive anywhere. He can hit a home run anywhere. You try to keep him off balance. But it seems every swing he takes, he's got good balance and he's hitting the ball hard somewhere, and you want to try to stay away from a guy like that in crucial situations.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: The same way. I'm not going to try to change anything. I've pitched against these guys a couple of times this year, and I've had some pretty good success and I'm going to do what I've done in those other two games. Until they make me change, I'm going to stick with my same gameplan.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: I can't possibly go out and try to throw a one-hitter again, that's kind of insane. I'm going to go out and pitch the same game I've pitched all year and try to win. And if I give up ten hits and we win, that's still a good start. This time of the year, I don't think it's how effective you are; it's whether you win or lose. And that's pretty much the bottom line, then.

KEVIN MILLWOOD: No, not really. I'm all right today. I'm sure as the game goes along and it gets closer to that time for me to go out there, I'll probably get a little nervous, but you guys will never know (Laughter).