Quotes from Dave Martinez

My kids would watch from the window and wave to me during batting practice.

You know, for me, you don't chase wins.

The one thing I always hear from the players is they say, 'You never change... no matter what happens, you have conversations with us, you are always positive.' They appreciate that.

The one thing I've known and I've learned from the best managers, it's to stay positive.

The biggest thing I tell the boys is control the heartbeat. It's hard to do, but we've gotta be able to control the heartbeat in big moments because it goes really quick. So just stay in that moment and focus on the moment, don't get ahead of yourselves, and just play the game that we've been playing all year.

I was thinking it would be nice if I woke up and could play like Roberto Clemente.

I interviewed quite a few times and finally got a job with the Nationals. And I greatly appreciate it.

When I was with the Giants, I played for Dusty Baker, and I love Dusty to death. I think he's a great manager and great person, but he platooned me. His reasoning was to get everybody in the lineup. It wasn't that I couldn't play every day.

There's a lot of good Latin personnel out in baseball, coaching, in the front office, and it's nice to be recognized. But I really believe I'm here because of my merit, not because of any race or anything like that.

In the heat of the moment things get blown out of hand.

I never took things for granted. I always told myself to keep working hard, come to the ballpark ready to play, and one day I'll get a chance to play.

I love Chicago. I love Wrigley Field.

Building relationships. Communicating. Trust. Those are three things I've kind of instilled myself with.

It would be tremendous... I'd love to be part of winning a championship in Chicago.

When a guy 275 pounds snaps, look out.

I can remember having meetings with my coaches when things were going bad. I told them, 'Hey, we've got to be positive. This is the time we need to step up. You've got to make sure they know everything is going to be okay. Keep teaching. Once they see you are down, you lose them and that can't happen.'

I'm never going to criticize any umpires or anything, because they're a big part of the game.

Yeah, I grew a goatee, and the next year, everybody had them.

You have to stay in the moment. Stay focused. Know what you're going to do.

The object is to win as many games possible.

Umpires are supposed to be non-confrontational - they're supposed to uphold the peace on the baseball field.

I utilize my coaches. I value their opinions on a lot of things.

My dad was big about talking about baseball and Latin players.

Everyone keeps telling me how young I am, but if the right opportunity comes up, I'm ready to manage.