Rich: It's a lot of fun playing ball there. The fans are really true fans. The winds are a real problem sometimes. If there is a day game in the late afternoon, they really pick up. If you are at the plate the wind could be blowing at you, and then in the next half inning, it switches and is blowing at you in the field.

Jennifer from Bellingham, WA asks: Do you reply to any (or all) of your fan mail?

Rich: Well, I actually had a computer and my place was robbed. They stole my machine, and now I haven't been able to get another get back on line. I will though . . .

Sammy from SF asks: What's it been like playing on a first place team this late in the season?

Rich: Any player dreams of this their whole life. It's great since the predictions in the beginning said that we were going to be a last place team. We turned some doubters into believers. To be in a pennant race, no player can ask for anything better. The electricity was great at our place last week (playing the Dodgers). My Dad grew up a Dodger fan in Brooklyn, there is a lot of history in that rivalry. I'm from Brooklyn so it adds a little extra for me. Matt Williams and Robby Thompson instilled the rivalry into me.

Sammy from SF asks: Who is your favorite all time player?

Rich: Ozzie Smith. I grew up watching him play, the things he did on defense were spectacular. I admire the way he played his game. One of my greatest moments was in 1995 when I played on the same field as him. It was a great feeling for me.

Sammy from SF asks: Which AL team are you most afraid to play if the Giants make it to the WS?

Rich: The way I look at it is that the Mariners scare everyone. Their rotation is great. If you go deep into a series you have to face Johnson twice. They can come out any day and shut you down as well as blow you out with their offense. Davy Louis from Daly City asks: Do you guys do a lot of scoreboard watching while playing the pads, watching the Dodgers-Rocks score? Rich: Yeah we did actually. Especially on the Sat. game where we lost 12-2. We actually got the chance to watch the end of the game which was exciting. It hasn't affected our play. The guys that are on the bench get to watch the scoreboard the most.

tim from md asks: Hi Rich, What is your personal opinion of Ripken's streak?

Rich: I think it's something that will never ever be broken again. It's amazing what he has done. I'm sure that he has had some injuries or even a cold. You are in awe of how he can do that, and still put up pretty good numbers.

Donny from Boca Raton <> asks: Rich, were you drafted or did you sign as a free agent?

Rich: I was drafted out of college in 1992 by the Rangers. I ended up with the Giants in 94, I was traded for John Burkett and I've been here ever since. I majored in Finance at St. John's.

Harry from Haight asks: Do you like music? What kind?

Rich: I like a whole bunch of different stuff. Billy Joel, Elton John, and even some dance/R&B. You have to learn to like what's being played in the clubhouse.

Trisha from Sausalito asks: Who are your closest friends on the team?

Rich: I hang around with Bill Mueller, Shawn Estes since I know them from the minors. Also, Damon Berryhill and Mark Lewis. That's the great thing about baseball, you get to make some friendships that last a long time.

Will mnaish from Aurora, Illinois asks: HOw is the new pitchers from Chicago doing out there and how do you get along with them?

Rich: They've helped us out a lot. Wilson Alvarez pitched a great game last Sunday. Danny Darwin pitched well last time, and Roberto Hernandez has stepped into a a tough role and has done a great job setting up for Rod. They made a big impact on this team so far. Julian Tavarez has been throwing the "heck" out of the ball as well. It's good to have a lot of choices out there to go to.

Trisha from Sausalito asks: Who are the biggest practical jokers on the team?

Rich: We've kinda been real serious lately.

Harry from Haight asks: If you weren't playing for the Giants, who would you like to play for?

Rich: I really never thought about it. I'm from NY, but I don't know if I'd like to play ther. Chicago is great, Wrigley has great fans and atmosphere. Being a player, you kind of have the attitude that you will play with whomever wants me to play.

Will mnaish from Aurora, Illinois asks: How would you rate Dusty as a manger and which skipper has benefited you the most?

Rich: Dusty is a great man to play for. He played the game for so long and not that long ago. He's handled our team well this year. He made us into the team we are right now. My high school coach taught me a lot of stuff about baseball and life itself. I carry the things he taught me with me today.

Davy Louis from Daly City asks: Do you guys still have a rivalry with the Rockies -- Dusty and Don Baylor, etc?

Rich: Any team that's in your division, there will be a natural rivalry. We always play tight games with the Rockies. We have to take them as serious as we would take the Dodgers. During the last two weeks, you really just want to win every game.

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