"When I first came up, the bullpen was pretty much where they put the guys who couldn't start"

Dennis Eckersley's quote is a reflection on his early career in Major League Baseball. He was initially put in the bullpen, which was traditionally the location where pitchers who weren't good enough to start were relegated. This was a tight spot for Eckersley, as he was a gifted pitcher who wanted to start. However, he was able to use this experience to his benefit, as it enabled him to develop his abilities and become one of the most successful relief pitchers in MLB history. His quote serves as a pointer that even in tight spots, it is possible to turn them into opportunities for growth and success.