September 1, 1999

The Week in Quotes

August 23-29

by Dennis Cleary

YOUNG PITCHERS...

``I think I'm just happy to get that first one out of the way. I just want to come in and help the team win as much as I can.''

-- Rick Ankiel, Cardinals pitcher, on his ML debut

``I can't worry about whether I'm going to be here next time or the time after that. I don't have that luxury. I'm just trying to fit what this team needs.''

-- Mike Judd, Dodgers pitcher

``That's enough. It's getting to be late in the year and he's a rookie. I'm not going to let him throw 130 to 140 pitches and blow his arm out. I won't second guess that decision.''

-- Gene Lamont, Pirates manager, on taking out pitcher Kris Benson after 119 pitches

``I am so pleased and glad that this deal got done. It was a long process, but now I look forward to playing baseball for the Marlins. It's hard to put into words how happy I am.''

-- Josh Beckett, pitcher and #2 pick in the 1999 draft, on signing a 4-year, $7 million contract with the Marlins

``It's been a wild ride. It's just been unbelievable for me in every aspect, from getting to the big leagues, to all of a sudden we start winning to now having a chance to play into October.''

-- Tim Hudson, A's pitcher

... GOOD PITCHERS...

``I don't know if this has made me a better pitcher, but it's definitely made me a more creative pitcher. I'll listen to any suggestion.''

-- John Smoltz, Braves pitcher, on his elbow problems

``An ace is someone like Pedro Martinez. I'm just a guy who goes out there every five days.''

-- Brad Radke, Twins pitcher

``I've finally proved last year wasn't a fluke.''

-- Jose Lima, Astros pitcher, on winning his 17th game

``Worrying about where we are in the standings, that's not acceptable. I just have to go out and get outs. I don't want to apply any pressure on myself.''

-- David Wells, Blue Jays pitcher

... AND JAIME NAVARRO

``I don't think I've pitched that badly this year. I can only pitch. I can't hit for the guys.''

-- Jaime Navarro, White Sox pitcher, who is 7-12 with a 6.27 ERA this season

``If the WBC gave out a heavyweight title for whining, it would go to Jaime. Jaime's one of a few big-leaguers who has a home with no mirrors. He doesn't see the way he really is.''

-- Steve Stone, Cubs announcer

``Whoa. You know, there comes a time when you've got to own up. What about the six-run inning he had? Good grief.''

-- Tom Paciorek, White Sox announcer

THE REST

``I had heart surgery, and I still made it back before he did.''

-- Ron Santo, Cubs announcer, on Lance Johnson's muscle pull

``Sometimes you can score runs easy. And sometimes it's like pulling teeth out of a duck.''

-- Jimy Williams, Red Sox manager

``We don't get scared by the schedule or the competition. We know we can handle it because we got this far.''

-- Bobby Valentine, Mets manager

``I've never seen games go by like this. People are taking bad swings and having bad at-bats. It just keeps piling up. We're just not playing well, with one thing leading to another.''

-- Jim Edmonds, Angels outfielder

``It's a weird feeling. It's almost like playing against your little brothers.''

-- Matt Mantei, Diamondbacks pitcher and ex-Marlin, on returning to Florida

``Boy, he can put a couple of pretty swings on the ball, can't he?''

-- Terry Francona, Phillies manager, on Bobby Abreu

``Every opportunity I have to get on the mound, face hitters and have a chance to get someone out, I relish that.''

-- Terry Mulholland, Braves pitcher

``He puts the bat on the ball so well, especially for a big guy. Just wait until he hits his peak.''

-- Felipe Alou, Expos manager, on Vladimir Guerrero

``It says a lot about baseball.... We had a lot of extra revenue from the playoffs and still lost a ton of money. I think most fans shouldn't care and I don't think they do, but it speaks a lot about the terrific competitive imbalance.''

-- John Moores, Padres owner

``He's a poor man's Greg Maddux, and he's smart. I can't see why he's struggling.''

-- Al Martin, Pirates infielder, on Mark Gardner

``You want to go out and give your team a chance to win every time, but when the season draws to an end you want to be throwing well. I've been throwing the ball, in my mind, very well the second half. You try to keep that going through the end of the season.''

-- Charles Nagy, Indians pitcher

``I think I could probably hover between .300 and .320 if I was playing elsewhere. Playing at Coors probably adds on 30 or 40 points. I put an asterisk by my name for winning batting titles because I play here. This is where I play. Don't shoot me for it.''

-- Larry Walker, Rockies outfielder

``If you look at the past two weeks, I thought we've played pretty good. We just haven't come away with wins.''

-- Terry Collins, Angels manager

If you would like to submit a quote, please email Steven and be sure to include both the quote itself and a URL pointing to the quote.