"He was exactly the player we needed," the Oakland manager, Tony La Russa, said today.

That, more than anything he could say about himself, describes the Oakland manager.

Tony La Russa, the Oakland manager, encountered no such instability this year.

Art Howe, the Oakland manager, said they need better command of their pitches.

"He seems to always be in the right spot at the right time," mumbled Art Howe, the Oakland manager.

Art Howe, the Oakland manager, said: "Barry's used to the postseason.

"Most games are won with singles and baserunning and clutch hitting," the Oakland manager says.

"I don't think he has ever had an easy situation," said Tony La Russa, the Oakland manager.

Howe and La Russa are the only Oakland managers with more than three years of service.

As he did in the second game, Tony La Russa, the Oakland manager, appeared to stay too long with his starting pitcher.