In the clubhouse: J.D. Drew<br>
Compiled by Jeff Gordon <br>
05/09/2001<br>
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Cardinals outfielder J. D. Drew is one of the hottest
hitters in all of baseball. What's behind his torrid
streak? He talked with reporters about that topic
after Tuesday night's Cardinals victory over the
Pittsburgh Pirates.<br>
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Here were some highlights:<br>
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On why he's been so hot: "My faith, I always say a lot
about it, is very important. God has really blessed me
with the ability to see the ball really well. I feel
comfortable. I'm coming out to compete every night,
which, a lot of times, in this game you play so many
games, that it's hard to get up. I've been up. I just
want to go out and have good at bats and help this
team. I'm not praying to hit home runs. I'm praying to
see the ball and have good at bats."<br>
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On whether he is a guess hitter who has been
anticipating pitches well: "No, I think it's just a
matter of seeing it. I've always been one of those
guys who has streaks, it goes here and there. It's
just a matter of staying in one of those grooves in
between streaks with those power numbers, continuing
to get your hits. I feel about as good at the plate
with my swing as I have in a long time. I just have a
simple approach going and hopefully I can keep it."<br>
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On whether his big home runs just happen when he gets
into one of his hot streaks: "Yeah, it's kind of
weird. In college I used to go up there feeling like I
was going to hit a home run. But now it's just seeing
the ball, thinking hard. Just get a good swing on the
ball and the ball is getting elevated."<br>
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On what it feels like to hit a 470-foot homer: "It is
a good feeling. I'm humbled by it, just by the ability
God has blessed me with to play the game and getting
the chance to run around the bases. I come back to the
dugout overwhelmed, I guess, because it's something
special."<br>
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On whether there is any danger in a home-run binge
screwing up his every day swing: "I don't think it
will. I want to have quality at bats every game. I'm
going to get four or five at bats and I wanted to
compete every time I come to the plate and see what
happens."<br>
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On the value of playing almost every day: "You get a
rhythm going. I've always been fairly comfortable
hitting off lefties." <br>
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On that ability to hit left-handed pitches: "Playing
at Florida State, we had a lefty batting practice
coach that threw all the time. I think it's important
to get at bats against (left-handers) during the
season. If you just come off the bench every now and
then and hit against them, it seems almost impossible.
Now it's just like going up there facing any other
guy."<br>

On the Cardinals' need to get on a winning streak:
"Tip you cap to the pitchers. Those guys are going a
great job now. (Andy) Benes came out and pitched a
great game. It looked like the old Andy Benes, hitting
his spots and making pitches when he needed them.
That's important. <br>
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"Any time you can get on a roll, it gives the team
confidence, makes it a lot of fun to come to the
ballpark." <br>
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