AL DIVISION SERIES: RED SOX v WHITE SOX

October 7, 2005

Orlando Hernandez

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ: I have had great games, post-season and regular season. People just -- the post-season is just highlighted more than the regular season. I would put this one with the rest of them, no different.

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ: I have been in the bullpen before with the Yankees in post-season and as long as I get enough time to warm up, I'll be fine. It's a matter of warming up. If I get enough innings, I'll get ready to start the game.

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ: We went out there and we had to play hard because we have a lot of respect for the Boston Red Sox. They are the defending team. The team, though, it's young, they're ready on game time. They're not that young, but when you have young players, there's no difference. I don't think they've gotten the respect the team deserves, but we've earned that respect little by little, and hopefully we will go all the way. Everyone on the team has done everything they've got to do, defense, offense, pitching. I would have loved to be a starter in one of the opening games, but I didn't deserve it in the past or this time. As long as we keep concentrating on what our goal is and keep trying hard, we'll do well in the series.

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ: You never get used to it no matter how many games you pitch in whatever situation, you never get used to it. You have to concentrate pitch by pitch and try not to make the wrong one. The second you don't concentrate, that's when you get hurt. Every day is a different day. Also the circumstances are what the game is in, who's on base, who's hitting, what they have been doing during that game. If people think just because you've done it in the past, you're going to do it again. The most important thing is to have a little bit of good luck.

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ: When I walked outside I saw the situation and the first thing was the key out. Once I got Varitek out, I knew I had a chance with the next batter. Graffanino had a great at-bat. He battled, and I have to resort to my experience, and it's kind of a gutsy call. I called for that pitch inside, and I called it. My catcher was surprised but I thought that's the only way I could get them out.

ORLANDO HERNANDEZ: No one believes this, but the success we have had is a lot due to Ozzie. When he makes a move, none of us complain. We stay happy, and if he brings one guy out, we don't complain. We've got to do what we've got to do. It's our job. I think the manager is respected, and that's it. I was very anxious to be pitching for him a long time ago.

ORLANDO.HERNANDEZ: It says "Congratulations, Chicago White Sox." He doesn't know what type it is. God willing, hopefully I'll be in the next press conference next round.