Ryan Dempster Quotations

What we did today in the ninth inning, you're not going to see happen very often,

Last year was the exception, not the norm now-a-days. We have to go out and play hard and play the right way, and we'll have a chance.

Obviously, it's been one of those things that you're really happy about. It shows a lot of respect for me and I have a lot of respect for the way they've handled me. I'm glad to be here for three more years. Hopefully, I can help them reach their goals and get to the World Series.

I got to know this one season ticket-holder who came to the park with a new joke every day. So every day I brought a new joke for him.

I didn't go up there with any. I figured I could handle them on my own. I had the option of leaving if they got too greedy, but it was fun.

I enjoy this role, but I don't think it was a silver lining because it was a grueling 12 months of rehab before that. I'd much rather have just stayed healthy and continue doing what I did before I got hurt. But I got a second life, and I've just tried to make the most out of that opportunity by preparing every time and get ready and stay focused every time that ninth inning comes up.

He has as good an idea of how to pitch as anybody in the game, probably of all-time. He doesn't have the stuff he used to have, but he still knows how to pitch. He just does it at a different speed now. He's a pleasure to watch.

He gave the bullpen a real nice breather.

It became one of those things out of necessity that I wanted to give it a shot and thought I could do a good job of it, ... I went down there and committed myself to doing it. I haven't really thought about starting because of it. I just went down there and said, 'This is what I'm going to try to do and do the best I can with it.'

I think absolutely we put too much pressure on ourselves (earlier). We'd be four games back and try to make up three games in one.

I said, I'll probably have a 35-pitch inning where I walk three or four guys and have the bases loaded and have to get out of it.

My wife (Jenny) gets mad at me sometimes because I'm always cracking jokes, ... Sometimes I don't take things too seriously. But laughter is the best medicine. If you're laughing, life is better.

It'd be nice if we could get to .500 and go from there.

I was outside and saw a bunch of people in the rain, and I thought I might go and keep the people happy -- give them an autograph and a picture. Everybody was really nice and cooperative.

We're really lucky. There aren't a lot of stadiums that are as old as Wrigley Field. I'm pretty lucky to get to go to Wrigley Field every day, and that's my office.

We're not too concerned about trying to play spoiler. We just want to take pride in what we do and win ballgames.

We're not too concerned about trying to play spoiler, ... We just want to take pride in what we do and win ballgames.

When you draw up a relay play, that's the way to draw it up.

When I went down there, I thought that would be kind of a cool number to get to, but I didn't know how attainable it would be, given the period of time. It's fun, and hopefully I can tack a few more on here.

Everybody in this game fails. It's how you bounce back from it.

See, I can't focus that much in March.

This is a chance for some guys to step up and have an opportunity, even if it's just for a month. They can come up and do well and showcase themselves. Some guys will get an opportunity and they'll learn from some veterans and hopefully do a good job.

It's exciting to go in there and close games and get the save. It's gone a lot better than even I thought it was going to go.

It's a big day for me in my career to get some security like that. It's definitely a little surreal.

It's funny, ... When it comes to the Cubs, it seems like he has the worst luck in the world. Fortunately for us, it meant a win. Unfortunately for him, it was another bad episode for or against the Cubs.

It's way past my bedtime, so it's good.

I try to take pride in leaving stuff behind. The next day I come to the field and yesterday's over with and today's what it's all about, and it's not about tomorrow. It's just about your task at hand. I think that helps in that kind of role. You've got to be able to forget the bad stuff.

After starting the season in the rotation, and to go down there in May and have 30 saves, it's neat,

I like the idea of coming into the game with the bases loaded and two out in the eighth,