Garrett Atkins

You hit first or second, you know they're going to come at you because they don't want anybody on base read more

You hit first or second, you know they're going to come at you because they don't want anybody on base when he comes up. If he comes up with runners on base, they want to pitch around him and go after Holliday or myself. Having him in there changes the whole dynamic of the team.

As much grief as I take the rest of the year, plays like that, you've got to savor them and read more

As much grief as I take the rest of the year, plays like that, you've got to savor them and enjoy them. I've helped the team win with the bat before, but it's nice to do it with the glove.

My confidence (defensively) definitely grew as the season went on, and the last month and a half, two months did read more

My confidence (defensively) definitely grew as the season went on, and the last month and a half, two months did wonders for my confidence. Being out there every day after the All-Star break was important, especially when I knew I had to prove everybody wrong, which I've been having to do since college.

It just seems like the last three or four days I've been able to keep my legs under me and read more

It just seems like the last three or four days I've been able to keep my legs under me and kind of drive the ball. It's been a long time since I've had six hits and none of them have been singles.

It is encouraging to see a kid come up and do what he doing. He's got five home runs. That's read more

It is encouraging to see a kid come up and do what he doing. He's got five home runs. That's more than the starting eight combined. You watch him in batting practice, and you know he is a special kind of hitter.