June 28, 1999

The Week in Quotes

June 21-27

by Dennis Cleary

JIMENEZ NO-HITS D-BACKS

``It's unbelievable. I can't explain it. I just want to fly tonight.''

-- Jose Jimenez, Cardinals pitcher

``If that doesn't thrill you, then you should be doing something else for a living. He really had tremendous movement on his pitches. He has Kevin Brown-type movement.''

-- Tony LaRussa, Cardinals manager

``Since I started playing, no manager, no coach calls my pitches. I called the game.''

-- Alberto Castillo, Cardinals catcher

``His pitchers were moving all over the place, he was in control and they had great defense for him. After I'd given up the run, I wanted to watch him.''

-- Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks pitcher

HIGHLY OFFENSIVE

``Usually if we get a couple of runs for him, it's enough for the game. With Pedro [Martinez] pitching, you like your chances after an inning like that.''

-- Brian Daubach, Red Sox infielder, on scoring 11 runs in the first inning

``The lesson here is never give up. The other lesson is never get down 9-1. We kept pounding away, pounding away -- never a huge inning but enough to come back and win this thing. This was huge for us.''

-- Mark Grace, Cubs infielder, on winning 13-12

``Oh man, this was one of those nights when you just don't want it to stop. It was just one of those nights where the baseball gods smile upon you and they bless you.''

-- Aaron Ledesma, Devil Rays infielder, on going 4-for-5

``The guys in front of me can both run and hit and do the little things right. Then we leave it up to Manny and the guys behind him to drive in runs. We're all getting on base, then doing little things to put pressure on the opposing team.''

-- Roberto Alomar, Indians infielder

``I'm not looking at the numbers until the end of the year. No matter how many home runs I hit, I want to win.''

-- Sammy Sosa, Cubs outfielder

FAVORITE PLACES

``Hitters will say they like to hit in certain parks. For some reason, I've always enjoyed pitching on that mound up in Toronto.''

-- Bobby Witt, Devil Rays pitcher

``This is the best ballpark in America. I love this place... This place reminds you of how baseball should be, of how it was growing up. So far, it's my favorite place.''

-- Chad Ogea, Phillies pitcher, on Wrigley Field

THE REST

``Is he back? Oh, yeah, he's back. Every game he's pitched for us has been a good game.''

-- Phil Garner, Brewers manager, on Hideo Nomo

``He was the right guy to turn this thing around a few years ago, and he's still the right guy. Our problems right now are that we're not hitting.''

-- Bill Bavasi, Angels GM, on signing manager Terry Collins to an extension

``Realistically, I've played my last game in the Kingdome. Maybe my body is trying to tell me something.''

-- Jay Buhner, Mariners outfielder

``I have to crawl before I walk. I've never relieved before. They think I have the mentality and the stuff to do it. I'm looking forward to it.''

-- Jason Isringhausen, Mets pitcher

``I don't want to overanalyze what he's doing. I want to appreciate it. I hope the fans appreciate it and cast their ballot for him. He has his sights focused on Boston and he deserves to go there.''

-- Bobby Valentine, Mets manager, on Rey Ordonez

``That's a slap in my face when they walk the guy in front of me. I think that's a good attitude to have. I'll come through more times than not in that situation.''

-- Brian Jordan, Braves outfielder

``I was told to come here and be like a fan and not like a manager. So I guess I'll leave about the third inning.''

-- Larry Dierker, Astros manager, on visiting the team

``When I was starting, I couldn't focus long enough. When you're closing, you're only going to be in there for five or 10 minutes. Anybody can concentrate for five or 10 minutes.''

-- John Rocker, Braves pitcher

``There were some signs a week ago that things were starting to turn around for us. We're swinging the bats better and our starting pitching has been great. If you add those things together, that's when you win them in a row.''

-- Paul O'Neill, Yankees outfielder