July 29, 2002

The Week in Quotes

July 22-28, 2002

by Derek Zumsteg

MONKEYS EQUALS WINNING

"You have to respect the monkey, that's for sure. Every time he peeks his little head out, something happens for them. You got to respect him or kidnap him, one or the other."
--Desi Relaford, Mariners infielder, on playing at Edison Field

"And now I don't have to see the Rally Monkey until September."
--Lou Piniella, Mariners manager, on finishing a series in Anaheim

"We got the Monkey, Carlos [Guillen] has got it in his locker. It's about time we got some breaks."
--Mike Cameron, Mariners outfielder, after a home win

DAY IN THE SUN

"A lot of times in cases like this a lack of opportunity will be mentioned. This is a guy who was a No. 1 pick and spent many years in the minor leagues. In my professional opinion, I don't classify it as a lack of opportunity. I think it's more a result that he didn't perform at the right time."
--Dave Littlefield, Pirates GM, on outfielder Adam Hyzdu

"I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut. I'm going to have fun with it and give it my best effort. I know that's lame and boring, but there's a lot of validity to it. You have to enjoy it. It's a game. You want to do well, but you're better when you have fun."
--Adam Hyzdu, Pirates outfielder, on his recent success

"Daddy, when did you get good?"
--Alexa Hyzdu, Adam's daughter

STRIKE ZONE

"If that pitch is a strike my mother is an astronaut."
--Julio Franco, Braves infielder, after a called third strike in the ninth inning of a 2-1 loss

"I think the home plate umpire might have had a date tonight, because he had a big zone. I don't have a date, but I might be able to get one after this."
--Jose Lima, Tigers pitcher, after tossing seven scoreless innings

WHOOPS

"I will be in this office until my extension expires. And that's 4 1/2 years from now. That's what I was contracted to do, and I will fulfill my obligations to the other owners."
--Bud Selig, commissioner of baseball, who usually dances around his ownership of the Brewers

THE REST

"We're trying to do everything we can to get ourselves back to mediocrity."
--Jerry Manuel, White Sox manager, after a loss to the Twins

"I was going to bring a white flag, but the guy who was bringing it pulled his hamstring on the way here."
--Stan Conte, Giants head trainer, after outfielders Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Reggie Sanders and Barry Bonds all suffered strained hamstrings

"It is always a surprise when you get traded. I just found out before my game today. I was shocked. But I am very happy and excited to come to Detroit. I have no idea why they want me or where they will play me, but I will do my best and work hard."
--Hiram Bocachica, Tigers infielder

"It's not nepotism; he's got a real shot at playing in the big leagues. He may end up being the key to this deal."
--Bob Boone, Reds manager, on trading for his son Matt, who is hitting poorly in his third year at the same A-ball level

If you would like to submit a quote, please email Derek and be sure to include both the quote itself and a URL pointing to the quote.