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Now that we're in mid-August, we're facing the toughest days, the so-called "dog days" that are defined by heat and fatigue.

"From here on in, these are the most important days in the season," I remember my Arizona teammate Danny Bautista saying in 2001. "These are the days when a lot of guys start to stumble, especially position players. When your arms and shoulders get tired, your legs feel tired, sometimes guys change to lighter bats, after swinging day after day for five months."

Coming to the final push of the season, when pennant races are heating up, veteran players are more important than ever, because smarts and intangibles become even more important than talent.

"A great number of young players are always tired, especially those who are in their first year in the majors, because they've never played so many games in a season," Bautista said. "And then that extra month of September brings them to their knees. Something veterans have learned is that you've got to take care of yourself and eat better in August and September. But, of course, the best thing to do is to take care of yourself from the beginning of the year, in order to stay strong in August."

One time in 2003 with the Diamondbacks, when we were playing an interleague game against the Tigers, we saw a young closer for Detroit throwing 101 mph. We were all impressed. But Curt Schilling, sitting next to me, said, "You know what Miggy? He's got great stuff, but let's see what kind of pitcher he'll be in August or September -- after 50 or 60 appearances."

I heard Sammy Sosa chime in on the subject, too: "People have no idea how difficult these days are for us. These are the days that really make a player's season, because it doesn't matter so much how you start the campaign, but how you finish."

One of my managers in the minors said it well: "Fatigue makes cowards of us, so preparation is the key to success. The greatest advantage of one guy over another is to go the extra mile. … That's why, when you have to choose between preparation and talent, I say preparation is the way to success."

Diamondbacks pitcher Miguel Batista writes a weekly blog for ESPNdeportes.com.