December 21, 1998

The Week in Quotes

December 7-20

by Dennis Cleary

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KEVIN BROWN SIGNS WITH LA

"I'm in mourning. Not for the Padres, but for baseball."
-- Larry Lucchino, Padres president

"This is an affront to baseball."
-- Sandy Alderson, MLB's executive vice president

"I don't mean to criticize Kevin Brown, but it's a truly tragic day for baseball. It's extraordinary. It confirms my worst fears about what would happen if we let Murdoch buy the Dodgers, and I think it represents a continuation of a very bad series of events in baseball after a spectacular season."
-- John Moores, Padres owner

"If we don't sign Kevin Brown, I guarantee you one or two or three other clubs are going to pay just as much or more."
-- Kevin Malone, Dodgers GM

"If I can stay away from freak injury, I believe I can be competitive as long as I'm in the game. I'd like to be like Nolan Ryan, to pitch until I'm 45."
-- Kevin Brown, Dodgers pitcher

"Parity is not the American way. The American way is to dominate somebody else."
-- Davey Johnson, Dodgers manager

OTHER MOVES

"This possibly could be my last contract. You have to look at it realistically. I came in winning with the Dodgers in '88, and would like nothing more than to go out a winner."
-- Tim Belcher, pitcher, on signing with the Angels

"This is a deal we've been talking about for quite a while. We think we got the No. 1 guy we wanted."
-- Walt Jocketty, Cardinals GM, on trading for Edgar Renteria

"I'm not a 22-year-old who's going to play another 10 or 12 years and maybe have a couple of chances to go. I want to win now. When I saw they signed [Randy] Johnson, I wanted to be here then for sure."
-- Steve Finley, outfielder, on signing with Arizona

"Over the last two years, we've made it a priority to begin to sign our core group of players to multiyear contracts. And Brian [Moehler] has certainly proven that he is a member of that core."
-- Randy Smith, Tigers GM

"The point is, how can the club get better with this trade? You don't get better, you get worse if you trade one of your strongest position players. Where are we going to get 24 homers and 95 RBI?"
-- Barry Larkin, Reds infielder, on the team's trade of Bret Boone

"I'm not going to steal 30 bases, but I know how to play and hopefully we put together a season where we go to the playoffs. I think it's refreshing to go to a new team where they're looking for players that will improve their team."
-- Robin Ventura, Mets infielder

UNHAPPY ROCKET

"Quite frankly, we are stunned and outraged at the demands of the agents. The talent we would have to potentially give up would leave us with a team that Roger Clemens would not want to play for."
-- Gerry Hunsicker, Astros GM

"Who wouldn't have an interest in Clemens? I'm sure Toronto will have many discussions with us before this is over with."
-- Brian Cashman, Yankees GM

"Clubs are still formulating their offers, adding and subtracting players. We're not satisfied with any proposals from any clubs. The clubs are not satisfied with our proposals."
-- Gord Ash, Blue Jays GM

RETIREMENT

"I'm going to stay at home and retire. It's time for me to be home with my family. I think it's where the good Lord wants me."
-- Terry Pendleton

"It's hard to walk away. It's been a major part of my life since I was 8 years old."
-- Dennis Eckersley

THE REST

"I understand baseball is a business but I feel I've done a lot for the team and the city. I feel like I should get respect back. All I keep hearing is that I'm expendable."
-- Fernando Vina, Brewers infielder

"Sure, I'm known for my basestealing. But the ultimate is scoring runs. That's one record I really want to get."
-- Rickey Henderson, Mets outfielder

"I still want to play baseball, but I'll have to wait and see what happens. But I'm a football player first. Bo Jackson was definitely a much better baseball player than I am, but I'd still like to give it a shot."
-- Ricky Williams, Heisman Trophy winner

"I'm a very intense individual. I like to win and I like to play for winners. Whatever it takes for the Baltimore Orioles to win, Will Clark is going to do it."
-- Will Clark, Orioles infielder

"I think it would be depressing to go to spring training knowing you had no chance to win your division and the goal was not to finish last. I'm very fortunate to be with a team that is willing to spend money."
-- Johnny Oates, Rangers manager