September 29, 1997

The Week in Quotes

September 21-27

by Dennis Cleary

PLAYOFFS AND PLAYOFF RACES

"There's nothing better than a pennant race."
-- Dusty Baker, Giants manager

"We wanted to let Cleveland know that once the postseason gets here, it's time to rock and sock."
-- Jim Thome

"We let it get away from us."
-- Bill Russell, Dodgers manager

"When you get knocked out with a couple of days to go, knocking another team off is not very motivating. I think the team lost its focus. I know I did."
-- Dante Bichette

"I want the next step and then the step after that and then that long trip to Disney World."
-- Ken Griffey Jr.

"There ain't no consolation. We expected to win and we expected to be in Seattle's situation."
-- Tony Phillips

"I feel better, more agile. I want to put my hitting together in time for the post-season."
-- Cal Ripken Jr.

"It's kind of a helpless feeling, having to root for somebody else."
-- Gene Lamont, Pirates manager

"We lost the title in August and earlier this month when we struggled."
-- Jim Edmonds

AWARDS

"If I were with the Braves, there wouldn't be any question about it."
-- Pedro Martinez, on the Cy Young Award

"He's having a year everybody in the game dreams about. I mean, what a year. What more can a guy possibly do? I know he'll be penalized for playing in Coors Field, and people will take into account that the Rockies aren't in first place. But that shouldn't matter, not this year. Right now, he's not only the MVP, but he's the greatest player in the game."
-- Tony Gwynn, on Larry Walker

"I think he's a clear-cut guy this year. There are guys like Tino [Martinez] that have had excellent years, Frank Thomas with the White Sox. But Junior, he's surpassed them."
-- Lou Piniella, Mariners manager, on Ken Griffey Jr.

REINSTATEMENT?

"Right now, the ball is in their court. I just hope they approach it with an open mind."
-- Pete Rose

"The matter will be handled in due course."
-- Bud Selig, acting commissioner

THE REST

"At the outset of this season, the umpires adopted a 'low tolerance' program which has been somewhat successful. Low tolerance, however, is about to become no tolerance."
-- Richie Phillips, umpires union head

"I think talking about clutch players is the silliest thing in the world. All you want is a player who plays at his normal level, whether it's the second inning or the tenth inning."
-- Gene Mauch, retired manager

"Yeah, this one was tough, considering the lack of runs. They're all tough, but I consider this an accomplishment."
-- Joe Carter, on driving in 100 runs

"One of my goals in the future, and it would be a great thrill, would be to come back one day and be the manager of the White Sox."
-- Ozzie Guillen

"If Barry's not on base for Jeff Kent, Jeff Kent doesn't get a chance to do what he's doing. Contrary to popular belief, Barry [Bonds] is having a hell of a year."
-- Brian Sabean, Giants GM

"With a new park, the Pirates will have a better opportunity to generate revenues needed to develop and mantain the top minor league system in all of baseball."
-- Kevin McClatchy, Pirates CEO

"There's no hiding it, we're last in everything. We're last in ticket sales, parking, television, etc. Our survival depends on getting a new stadium and we're sticking with that plan."
-- Claude Bochu, Expos president

"I'd like to see an aggressive manager. I don't believe that baseball has to be the equivalent of an English afternoon tea. I like some emotion. I believe in hard work."
-- Gord Ash, Blue Jays GM, on firing Cito Gaston

"When you're gone so much, you just want to be at home for a while. I'll be taking my son to school and just taking time off to chill. About Nov. 1, I'll start working out for next season."
-- Fernando Vina

"The only way I'll know how much progress we've made is if the experience of the pennant race pays off next year. We failed in that experience, but if we benefit from it next year, then we've progressed the way I wanted."
-- Sal Bando, Brewers GM

"The worst-case scenario is he will miss all of next year. We don't expect that. But it is a possibility."
-- Steve Phillips, Mets GM, on Todd Hundley

"My control has been pretty good."
-- Greg Maddux, on averaging less than 1 walk per 9 innings

"I'm tired of talking about it because my focus is on winning the division. I want to be a closer next year, and Rod [Beck] does, too. You can't fault us for that."
-- Roberto Hernandez

"I've made no secret about it. I don't care how you're involved in major league baseball or professional baseball, you get a chance to manage the St. Louis Cardinals, you're blessed."
-- Tony La Russa, Cardinals manager