June 14, 2004

The Week in Quotes

June 8-14

by Ryan Wilkins

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"He (Boras) probably was going to ask for a major league contract and a $4 to $5 million signing bonus...That's not something we were willing to do."
--Kevin Towers, Padres general manager, on the possibility of selecting Stephen Drew at No. 1 last week (San Diegp Union-Tribune)

"He (Bush) should be signed within 48 hours...That's a big thing for us. With Boras, it was going to be a long, drawn-out process."
--Towers

"There are no guarantees with the draft. We knew this kid wanted to play for us. He's local, and that's a big plus for us, and we didn't see that much difference in ability among the top prospects."
--Towers, on shortstop and No. 1 pick Matt Bush

"Matt Bush out of Mission Bay High...is the best high school shortstop I've seen since Alex Rodriguez."
--E.J. "Buzzie" Bavasi, Padres scouting consultant (San Diego Union-Tribune)

OSCAR AND FELIX

"A lot has been made of the 'Moneyball' thing and Paul and I get a kick out of it and sometimes get annoyed...We decided to take the best player available. I learned to utilize statistical analysis (DePodesta's specialty) and Paul's learned about mechanics, delivery and makeup. We put the two together and had a really solid draft. We had a really good draft."
--Logan White, Dodgers director of amateur scouting (MLB.com)

"I guess no one believed me, or everyone thought I was a monster. I wasn't trying to fool anybody. I said all along that this situation is different. I really don't think one strategy makes sense every time, every year."
--Paul DePodesta, Dodgers general manager, on drafting high school players (FoxSports.com)

AN HISTORICAL INEVITABILITY

"Pitchers get hurt all the time. Sometimes there is no reason. Other than this year, I have hardly had any pitchers get hurt. There was a time [former ESPN commentator] Bobby Valentine and all them were on me because I was overusing my [Giants] bullpen. I didn't have the starters then I have now."
--Dusty Baker, Cubs manager (Chicago Sun-Times)

"Now I'm under criticism because I stay with my starters too long. So who has the answer? It appears no matter what I do, they are going to talk some stuff about it. Oakland has had [pitchers] with 250 innings for three or four years in a row. Let 'em talk. If it was that easy, everybody who is calling on the radio shows could come do my job."
--Baker

"[Wood]'s been to different doctors and they say there is nothing structurally wrong with the elbow or anything...He says he feels good until he gets to the point of extension. I talked to Bob Welch about it and [maybe] it's a spur or something. [Sometimes] you got to throw through it, whatever is happening."
--Baker, on injured starter Kerry Wood

"I talked to a friend of mine and he told me 'history will reveal everything in time'...So let history be my judge."
--Baker

TAKE AND RAKE

"That's the problem with baseball nowadays-everybody wants to change it...Don't change the game. It is what it is."
--Barry Bonds, Giants outfielder, on the possibility of altering the current intentional walk rule (FoxSports.com)

"I don't think I'll reach Hank Aaron...I don't think it is possible, but I'm going to give it a shot. I'm going to play a couple of more [years] and whatever that number is at that time."
--Bonds (Washington Times)

"I think I can do that if I can stay healthy. But Hank Aaron's number is a long way away. That's a lot of home runs. As you get older, it is harder and harder. I'd have to play every day, and when you get in your 40s it is a lot harder to do that. I'm just happy for what I've done so far."
--Bonds

WAITING ON HISTORY

"It's taking a toll on everbody...If we could just get it behind us, we'd be fine. Get the focus off me and the focus back on playing good baseball."
--Ken Griffey Jr., Reds outfielder, on hitting home run No. 500 (MLB.com)

"I'm just trying to hit the ball solid. When it happens, it happens."
--Griffey

"The team always comes first. That's always been my whole focus."
--Griffey

"It takes away from the team goal...Everybody just wants to talk about one person."
--Griffey, on the perils of chasing No. 500

THE REST

"He seems to set a tone that gives us a heck of a lot more confidence...I don't want to put everything on Shannon Stewart. But we win a lot more when he's around."
--Terry Ryan, Twins general manager, on outfielder Shannon Stewart (FoxSports.com)

"I'm trying to keep a good spin on it...But at some point you have to look at a guy like me and ask, 'How effective can I be if I'm not playing on a regular basis?'"
--Tim Salmon, Angels outfielder, who's currently hitting .224 (L.A. Times)

"I've been an everyday player. I'm the type of player who needs to get at-bats, and then I come around...I know what kind of player I am, and hopefully I'm given the opportunity to be that kind of player. If I'm not used as that kind of player, then I'll re-evaluate the situation."
--Salmon