April 3, 2001

The Week in Quotes

March 17-April 1

by Derek Zumsteg

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[I'd like to note that the April 1 Week In Quotes was an April Fool's joke and entirely made up. We now return to actual quotes, already in progress]

CAREER EXTENSIONS

"This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey."
--Rickey Henderson, Padres outfielder, in a message left on the answering machine of Padres general manager Kevin Towers

"My job was to get on base and score runs. If I didn't concentrate on getting on base, there's no telling how many hits I'd have. I have 2,000 walks, so how many swings is that? My No. 1 goal always has been scoring runs."
--Henderson, on his offensive philosophy throughout his Hall of Fame career

"I'm an old guy. I came to camp and tried to earn a job and it worked out."
--Norm Charlton, Mariner reliever

"He came up and said, 'Son, you did a great job. You're on the ballclub.' I might as well be his son."
--Charlton, on receiving news he'd made the team from manager Lou Piniella

"I was optimistic. I have confidence in my ability. I don't know if anybody else felt that way, but I was confident."
--Charlton

"I think this by far will be my best one. I'm almost collecting Social Security."
--Charlton, on how he feels about another Opening Day

TRANSACTION TURMOIL

"I had no idea I would be judged on performance -- I always thought spring training was a time for experimentation, to work with different stances, to get your timing down. Thirty-nine at-bats to judge a player? Wow,those are strict parameters."
--Jose Canseco, on being released by the Anaheim Angels

"Jesse was promised he would be on the team if he was healthy and he's healthy. In baseball, you're only as good as your word, and I'll never be able to trust Kevin Malone again."
--Alan Meersand, agent for pitcher Jesse Orosco, after Orosco refused a minor league assignment after failing to make the roster

FINDING CONTENTMENT

"It's a sad and enjoyable day for myself. I've enjoyed a great career. It's been a joyous ride."
--Dwight Gooden, Yankees pitcher, announcing his retirement

"I think this kid can play the game. If he can hit .230 or .240 and plays solid defense, I'll be extremely happy."
--Lloyd McClendon, Pirates manager, on infielder Jack Wilson

"My father always told me to make each day better than the one before, and I believe in that. You have to do your best and show what you can do. It was tough at first, but then you accept it. You're still in the big leagues. It doesn't hurt when the team is winning because everything you do matters. And Dusty is great for bench players because he doesn't let you sit too long. He makes it a lot easier to prepare yourself."
--Felipe Crespo, Giants outfielder, on what it's like to be a career bench player

THE REST

"We may not be young chronologically, but we have a lot of players with zero to three years of experience."
--Syd Thrift, Orioles vice president of baseball operations, on the team's supposed youth movement

"It's a shame. He's got a good arm. It's probably more mental than physical."
--Lou Piniella, Mariners manager, on Rick Ankiel

"Big boppers are great, and Andres Galarraga was certainly very important to our lineup, but a guy like Rico [Brogna] is a more balanced hitter who can win games all kinds of ways."
--Bobby Cox, Braves manager, on replacing Galarraga with Brogna

"Are you recognized as a good-hitting pitcher?"
--Reporter to Mets pitcher Steve Trachsel, after Trachsel got three hits, one a home run, in a spring training game

"I'm not even recognized as a good pitcher."
--Trachsel

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