Phillies' Sandberg On Managing: Pressure To Win 'Wears On A Manager Much More'
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Chris Stigall talked to Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg on 1210 WPHT after a tough stretch for the team that has seen them fall to the bottom of the National League after losing eight of their last nine games.
Sandberg remains optimistic, however, that the team can still put together a run to get back in contention for the playoffs.
"I've been looking at the division, how it's tightened up, and there's no team that's really gone out there and torn it up and [is] way out ahead. I keep saying that we have a winning streak in us, and if we can start that on this home stand and play better baseball and have a good three weeks, we can really do something," he said.
Sandberg also said that whenever the Phillies take the field, he believes the team is determined to turn things around and start winning again.
"Since there is a game every single day, there's always that optimism to turn things around. That's what I hear every time a game starts and the guys wanting to get after it and start that day with a streak of wins…That's what you get and that's what I feel and sense with our club. Every time a game is starting, that's the day that we're going to get a win and get it going in the other direction and have a chance for a winning streak," Sandberg stated.
He also commented that he feels more pressure to win as a manager than he did as a player.
"It wears on a manager much more, because it's basically all about wins and losses. As a player, sometimes you have players that are still playing well or having a good season. Sometimes players look at things that way. At the end of the day, all and all, it's everybody that wins together or loses together and that's the sensation I get," Sandberg said.