September 9, 1998

The Week in Quotes

August 3-September 9

by Dave Pease

Steven Carter is taking a break from quotes. Dave Pease will be filling in until he returns.

62

"I just hope I didn't act foolish. This is history. "

--Mark McGwire, Cardinals infielder, after breaking Roger Maris' single-season home run record

"You know what really sucks? That was his shortest of the year."

--Steve Trachsel, Cubs pitcher, on giving up the home run to McGwire

"It was one of the loudest noises I've ever heard in a stadium."

--Matt Mieske, Cubs outfielder, on the crowd's reaction

"Mr. McGwire, I think I have something that belongs to you. "

--Tim Forneris, Cardinals ground-crew member, before returning the ball to McGwire

ENTER TAXMAN

"That was about the dumbest thing I'd ever heard in my life."

--Mike McCurry, White House spokesman, on an IRS spokesman's statement that the person who returns the record breaking ball to McGwire would be subject to federal gift tax

"The fan who gives back the home run ball deserves a round of applause, not a big tax bill."

--Charles Rossotti, Internal Revenue Service commissioner, retracting the IRS' stance

TIGER TROUBLE

"I got humiliated. That's why I said I was bitter. I was asked to play through it, and that's what I got."

--Bip Roberts, Athletics infielder, on attempting to play through an injury with the Detroit Tigers

"I felt like a lot of guys over there already knew everything. The typical response you got was 'I know'. I get that from my daughter."

--Roberts, on his former Tiger teammates

"Bip's always been a good quote."

--Randy Smith, Tigers general manager, on Roberts

"I'm glad our young players don't listen to somebody like that. We've got enough problems as it is."

--Buddy Bell, former Tigers manager, on Roberts

"He's signed. Just as I assume I'm going to be here, at this point, I don't know why he wouldn't be."

--Smith, on Bell

ANDROSTENEDIONE

"It's legal and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it."

--McGwire

"They don't ban this stuff because it's benign. They ban it because it has negative health effects."

--Dr. Kerry Kuehl

THE REST

"This is really frustrating for me. I don't know what else to say."

--Hideo Nomo, Mets pitcher, after allowing seven runs in 2 2/3 innings

"The signing is another demonstration of our ownership's commitment to fielding a championship club."

--Jim Beattie, Expos general manager, on signing outfielder Vladimir Guerrero to a five-year contract

"His experience is a bonus and helps us down the stretch. "

--Bill Bavasi, Angels general manager, on new Angel outfielder Gregg Jeffries

"I'm thrilled to have the chance to pitch in the major leagues again. This is another step in the process to find out whether I belong here."

--Jim Abbott, White Sox pitcher

"It was all his fault. But he wasn't suspended or anything."

--Andres Galarraga, Braves infielder, after his three game suspension for charging Dodgers pitcher Darren Dreifort was upheld

Dave Pease is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @davepease
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