AL DIVISION SERIES: TWINS v YANKEES

October 5, 2004

Brad Radke

BRAD RADKE: At that time I really didn't know what I was going to do. You know, the Twins came up with a pretty good offer, and that wasn't everything that I wanted it to be, I wanted it to be the whole package. We had a lot of good guys growing up, a lot of young talent, and you know it's just one of those things. I really didn't want to leave Minnesota. The family liked it there, I liked it there. Nice people, nice city. There was no reason to. You know, it turned out for the best.

BRAD RADKE: You know, yeah, it is a very difficult time for Jacque right now. This is what the team is for, we're there for him, it's not just all about baseball. We do have some off-the-field problems, and, you know, he definitely has our support, and I know it's tough for him. You know, I think he'll end up dedicating his at-bats for the games to his father.

BRAD RADKE: I'm just happy to be a part of this team right now. You know, especially over the last couple of years, we've done a lot. You know, just being out there in a playoff atmosphere and a playoff game, it's unbelievable and it's going to be a lot of fun.

BRAD RADKE: It's baseball. You know, as well as I've pitched, I expected some more wins, but it's just not an individual sport. It's a team sport and as long as the team wins the game while I'm out there, it's just as good as me getting the win myself.

BRAD RADKE: Not really. Shoot, the way Johan has been pitching this year, it's been fun to watch. I'm glad he's stepped up and has become the ace. He's unbelievable. Everybody in this room knows that, too. I mean, he's a typical ace. He throws hard, strikes out a lot of guys, and that's what an ace does.

BRAD RADKE: It's a little different. The adrenaline is flowing a lot more. You know, the key to my success is just taking easy. Try not to get too hyped about the game. Just go out there and pitch my game. I faced him twice during the regular season. Just last week, I faced him. No, the approach will be a little different, I think, than what it was last week.

BRAD RADKE: I don't think so. When T.K. was around, he was a great manager for the young guys. Once Gardy took over the team, the guys were a little older and they knew what to expect of themselves. You know, we just put it all together and Gardy has done a great job for us.

BRAD RADKE: A little bit here and there. You know, a pitcher goes out and pitches to his strengths. You know, as the game goes along, you might need to change a few things. You know, I kind of went after the guys pretty much the same. Some at-bats and then different some at-bats. I didn't want to give them a look, you know, to where I wanted them to think it would be the same. It's probably not going to be the same. It will probably be a little different.

BRAD RADKE: Counts. Just throw a different pitch here, different counts. It just might change a little bit. But for the most part it probably won't change that much. You know, guys on base, it just depends on how the game is going and how the game is going. I'm just going to take each hitter, how he is and look at his weakness and go with some of my strengths.

BRAD RADKE: Yeah, for sure. I think early in my career, pitching with this club really helped me become a better pitcher because I knew we were not going to score a lot of runs. I had to go out there and pretty much shut the opponent down. I think that was a big part of my career, and especially this year, we can score some runs. It was tough this year and I think it will help me out going down the stretch.