September 22, 1997

The Week in Quotes

September 14-20

by Dennis Cleary

REALIGNMENT

"We were given exclusive NL rights to the Bay Area when we bought the team, so I definitely think we have a legal position. We're not interested in sharing the world of National League baseball with a competitor."
-- Peter Magowan, Giants owner, on suing MLB if the A's move to the same division

"We have a better understanding that what we have to do is get something done. That, to me, is progress in itself."
-- Bud Selig, acting commissioner

"Everyone agrees what we're doing is needed, but it's not easy to get everyone to agree on how. People are protecting their own interests."
-- John Harrington, Red Sox CEO

"We have a difficult job in front of us because we have 30 teams, which means we have 30 different histories, 30 different sets of circumstances, 30 different needs. And it's very difficult, probably impossible, to perfectly harmonize all 30 of the different sets of needs. No plan is perfect."
-- Stan Kasten, Braves president

"We don't have much longer. We need a schedule. That's impacting everybody right now. Each day that goes by without a decision is another day we suffer."
-- Tom Schieffer, Rangers president

PENNANT RACES

"I don't think anyone knows how to celebrate a wild card. It's still pretty new."
-- David Cone

"They're a deep team, and that's what helps get you to the playoffs."
-- Terry Francona, Phillies manager, on the Marlins

"Tell you what, man, don't bet against us."
-- Barry Bonds

"In spring training, if you had told me that three teams would be in it, no way I would've believed we wouldn't be one of those three teams."
-- Chris Gomez, on the Padres

"I think the ability is there, so why hasn't it done the job? I think probably the biggest reason is lack of experience in pressure situations, like a pennant race."
-- Sal Bando, Brewers GM, on his team

"This year, for some reason, I've struggled with my focus. Being in a playoff atmosphere is making me turn it up a notch."
-- Gary Sheffield

"We've got guys who've been through it before. These are big games, and that's when big-game players come through. It can be a guy like Al Weis or Mark Lemke."
-- Dusty Baker, Giants manager

THE REST

"Drew is a player that comes along once every 20 years. Not even Barry Bonds can be compared to J.D. Drew."
-- Scott Boras, agent

"When I first got here, sure, I was definitely going to try the free-agent market. But I don't think it was too hard to fall in love with the city of St. Louis."
-- Mark McGwire

"Take away the 17 home runs that I scored on and I drove in 100 teammates. I'm proud of that."
-- Tony Gwynn

"I'm a player who performs if appreciated."
-- Eric Young

"There have been good times and tough times, the wind blowing in and the wind blowing out, great games and heart-breaking games. The one constant over the years has been the Chicago Cubs fans and the way you've always treated Ryne Sandberg."
-- Ryne Sandberg, in his farewell address

"He just popped the ball up, but he's so damn strong that even his pop-ups go out of the yard."
-- Joey Hamilton, on Mark McGwire

"Security is something when you don't have any confidence and you want somebody to pay you when you don't do the job."
-- Jack McKeon, Reds manager

"He was born to manage. He knows the game inside and out. He's patient. He would be great for any team. I think he's won more games with that team than I could have won. And that's not a knock on myself. I know I can manage a big league club."
-- Jim Leyland, Marlins manager, on Gene Lamont, Pirates manager

"Generally speaking, our farm system has not produced since the days of Canseco, McGwire and Weiss. But I think we're about to see it emerge."
-- Sandy Alderson, A's GM

"I've lost for the last time with Norm [Charlton]."
-- Lou Piniella, Mariners manager

"I'm not going to go out like Roger Clemens and be questioned for my integrity and questioned as a man. The Red Sox can't act as if our camp didn't do everything possible to make a deal get done."
-- Mo Vaughn