I seemed to get more upset when I was broadcasting than I do now when I'm sitting in the dugout. When you're competing, you have to keep your wits about you. You don't want to lose your cool and you don't want to do anything that will create a disadvantage for your team. There's a fine line there because you have to stick up for your players. Former manager Terry Collins had his share of problems, and there is no guarantee Dierker will be buddy-buddy with his charges.
Disagreements come with the territory.
But it's safe to assume Dierker, who won 137 games as a big-league pitcher, will be a player's manager in every sense of the word. He already has won over the starting pitchers by saying he will allow the starters to work deeper into games. The regulars also are happy with Dierker's proclamation that the offense will be put in motion and there will be action on the basepaths. Larry's going to give us the freedom to play, to go out there and enjoy it. He wants us to play the game.