MLB WORLD SERIES: YANKEES v DIAMONDBACKS

November 1, 2001

Chuck Knoblauch

CHUCK KNOBLAUCH: I wasn't real sure. I had no -- I just picked Willy up and I knew he was waiving me in. I had my head focused on home plate. You could feel the ball coming. I think I took a little peek to see the throw, and I thought it was going to be close if he came up with it.

CHUCK KNOBLAUCH: Lopez? Yeah, I've faced him plenty of times, yeah, when he was with the Indians and this year with the Devil Rays. He's a pitcher that comes right at you and I was looking to get at it right away.

CHUCK KNOBLAUCH: I don't think anybody has. Obviously, unbelievable games; we're basically being totally dominated by the Diamondbacks pitching staff, and to wait until the 27th out with two, two-run home runs on consecutive nights is pretty amazing with one out to go in the last at-bat.

CHUCK KNOBLAUCH: Well, you stay ready, for sure, as the innings wear on, you go to the clubhouse and run around a little bit and stretch and I did the same thing both nights. I almost got a pinch-hit last night, late in the game. But you just have to stay ready. I know every team does a great job at it, but the guys that we have on the bench, they are always ready and Joe knows that. He doesn't have to worry about giving guys a big warning because everybody is ready. I mean, you just try to stay in the game mentally by watching it, watching some at-bats on TV, and seeing what the pitcher has got going if you have to pinch-hit. But mainly, just staying in it mentally and being stretched out and physically ready as well.

CHUCK KNOBLAUCH: I think every game is a must-game to win in the World Series, especially if you fall down 0-2 like we did out there, and to come up big and win three games at home is exactly what we needed. You know, you can't go into Game 6 thinking that you have a game 7. That's a must-win as well, too. This team does a great job of turning the page and focusing on the next game and I think everybody will enjoy tonight's game or these last three games and we'll get on the plane tomorrow and head to Arizona, I think everybody will be focused on Game 6.