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Q: It's been a wild ride for you this year -- up, down, back up. What were your thoughts leaving spring training.
A: Just go try to have a good year in Triple-A. Nothing ever crossed my mind about being in the big leagues. If I do my job at Triple-A, things will work out. Can't worry about being up here and then not produce in Triple-A and take another step back.

Q: Was there any reaction from friends, teammates, your brother (Pirats outfielder Brian) after the May 15 game-winning grand slam and then being sent packing to Richmond the next day?
A: Sure, it's kind of weird to get sent down after winning a game. But you've got to figure John Smoltz took my spot. So, if I'm making the decision, if I'm John Schuerholz or whoever makes the decision, I'm picking John Smoltz over Marcus Giles any day of the week, especially at that point in my career, It's a no-brainer. To be honest, I stayed up here longer than I expected to anyway.So, I was happy for what I had done. It was a great experience. I got my feet wet, and here I am back.

Q: Did you take any grief at Richmond, like "What are you doing back here?" Especially considering the events of the night before?
A: Sure, it's a little awkward getting sent down after doing that, but everyone knew it was going to happen, so it wasn't a surprise to anyone. Everyone was just like, "Good job."

Q: When yougot brushed back in Montreal July 29, you came back on the next pitch and hit a home run. Was that waking a sleeping bear?
A: He (Scott Strickland) threw it up and in, but by all means, he wasn't trying to brush me back. I think he was just trying to throw me a sinker inside that got away from him a little bit. When you've got the catcher yelling "Heads up!" when the ball is coming in, I don't think much is intentional, especially at that point of the game. The last thing he wants to do is put me on base. I was actualy waiting for a sinker in, but he hung me a slider, and I was fortunate to hit it. It didn't make me mad.

Q: You seem like a guy who thrives on emotion. You're a fiery player, and guys seem to rally around you. Has that always been the way you've played?
A: I think so. I like to have fun, and the only way to have fun is to win. Win with a little emotion and lose with a little emotion. Go down fighting if you're going to go down. I think it's fun to see the other guys get fired up. Every athlete wants to win, it's in their nature to get fired up. That's what competition is all about. It's fun to see everyone get fired up with you. Trust me, it's not just me on this team who gets fired up. Everyone else on this team wants to win and gets fired up, too.

Q: Growing up, did you idolize those types of players, guys like Pete Rose who woretheir emotions on their sleeves?
A: To be honest with you, I never really followed baseball that much. I wa playing my own baseball games. I was outside with my brother, hanging out with him. My brother's the same way.