June 14, 1999

The Week in Quotes

June 7-13

by Dennis Cleary

EXPOS BEAT MARTINEZ

``What an unbelievable game. Obviously the fans here love Pedro and they're pulling for him but I think when it came down to it, they really wanted us to win.''

-- Mike Thurman, Expos pitcher

``I just wanted to come back here and keep on rolling but they beat me. If I'm ever going to lose to a team, I'd rather lose to this team. Not to any other.''

-- Pedro Martinez, Red Sox pitcher

BONDS RETURNS

``I felt fast and quick at first but by my third at-bat, I was a little weary. It will be good to have a day off to recover. My energy level has to get back up there when it's time to hit.''

-- Barry Bonds, Giants outfielder, on his first game off the DL

``When you play 160 games a year and then miss 47 of them, you are eager to get back. We expect him to do the same thing he has always done, be a tremendous player. We have 102 more games with him back and it is hard to think of another 102 without him.''

-- Dusty Baker, Giants manager

INTERLEAGUE PLAY

``They've got All-Stars at every position. You look at the scoreboard, and their statistics look like zip codes.''

-- Jack McKeon, Reds manager, on the Indians

``I was really nervous. I had only seen him on TV before.''

-- Benny Agbayani, Mets outfielder, on facing Roger Clemens

``I love watching Juan Guzman hit. It's a big thrill.''

-- Brady Anderson, Orioles outfielder

UMPIRES

``I equate umpires with federal judges. And I don't believe they should always be subject to the voter, just like federal judges are not subject to the voter.''

-- Richie Phillips, umpires union head

``Federal judges can be impeached, and they are from time to time. People have to believe that there is accountability, that if you're incompetent, you don't survive.... I got worried when I found out that players were more concerned with who was umpiring the next day than they were about who was pitching the next day.''

-- Sandy Alderson, MLB executive vice president

THE REST

``I thought I pitched quite well. I only gave up six hits, but three of them were home runs. I battled and that's all you can ask for.''

-- Livan Hernandez, Marlins pitcher

``I'm ready. I'm excited with the way I'm throwing the ball. Now it's time to start applying what I've worked on over the last couple of months in game situations.''

-- Mark Wohlers, Reds pitcher, on making a rehab assignment in the minors

``We've had three games in 10 days when we've put 11 runs on the board [and lost]. You should win. It is disturbing. It's a little troubling.''

-- Lou Piniella, Mariners manager

``He's amazing. He's a great hitter and a great power hitter. He's a good human being, too. Those are three things you don't find a lot in baseball.''

-- Mike Hampton, Astros pitcher, on Jeff Bagwell

``It's kind of nice at 38 to have a first in your career. It's very difficult to put together three hits in a game. To have a night go like this is very special, whether you're 38 or 21.''

-- Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles infielder, on getting six hits in a game

``I stay ready. I take pride in that. I come in and lift weights and I hit in the cage inside all during the game. When they call on me, I'm ready.''

-- Keith Osik, Pirates catcher

``I was thrilled with the kid. He didn't look or act like it was his first time out there on a major league field. He was poised, he held runners close, it was a very productive outing for him.''

-- Terry Francona, Phillies manager, on Randy Wolf

``The last time I looked, there were 30 teams on the big league level, and that means that if you can walk and chew gum at the same time, you'll probably get a look sometime. It's what you do when you get that chance that counts.''

-- Jim Fregosi, Blue Jays manager

``He needs some at-bats. He needs to get in there ... and feel more comfortable. He's part of our team, and he could be a big part of our team. You've got to use them all, and he deserves a shot to get some at-bats. I like him, and I'm DHing him.''

-- Jim Leyland, Rockies manager, on Kirt Manwaring

``We're definitely taking our hacks. That's what it's going to take to score runs -- got to keep swinging.''

-- Matt Lawton, Twins outfielder