Mark Shapiro

What we saw in postseason was him at his absolute best.

He impacts the game defensively and on the bases, which we already knew.

The upside for him, it's a great floor because he's an elite player on those two facets no matter what.

The upside for him is offensively.

I think the injuries he dealt with this year, which kind of interrupted his season at multiple junctures, probably prevented him from doing that.

But

He's a high-character player.

I tend to forget how young he is because he carries himself in such a mature way, but I certainly feel fortunate to have him.

He's a big part of maybe part of what Ben talked about and part of that change from this year to last year.

And Tony, we just need to get him healthy and back.

He's a guy a year removed from 40 homers, and he's also a high-character guy and a strong leader, but he has to be on the field to do that.

Mark, I'm just wondering on a personal level, how did you deal with Game 7 that night and in the following days?

Yeah, I mean, hug my daughter and hug my son, you know.

I actually, like, you know, I did a lot of self-talk before the game philosophically.

Like, hey, you know, just on a deeply philosophical level, right?

Like, I'm not going to be any more complete of a human being.

I'm not any better of a leader or a better person if we win.

And I'm not any worse if we don't.

My life is no more complete or no more incomplete.

That's never been about the celebrations for me.