Steven Carter is taking a break from quotes. Dave Pease will be filling
in until he returns.
62
"I just hope I didn’t act foolish. This is history.
"
—Mark McGwire, Cardinals infielder, after breaking Roger
Maris’ single-season home run record
"You know what really sucks? That was his shortest of the
year."
—Steve Trachsel, Cubs pitcher, on giving up the home run
to McGwire
"It was one of the loudest noises I’ve ever heard in a
stadium."
—Matt Mieske, Cubs outfielder, on the crowd’s reaction
"Mr. McGwire, I think I have something that belongs to you.
"
—Tim Forneris, Cardinals ground-crew member, before
returning the ball to McGwire
ENTER TAXMAN
"That was about the dumbest thing I’d ever heard in my
life."
—Mike McCurry, White House spokesman, on an IRS
spokesman’s statement that the person who returns the record
breaking ball to McGwire would be subject to federal gift tax
"The fan who gives back the home run ball deserves a round of
applause, not a big tax bill."
—Charles Rossotti, Internal Revenue Service commissioner,
retracting the IRS’ stance
TIGER TROUBLE
"I got humiliated. That’s why I said I was bitter. I was asked
to play through it, and that’s what I got."
—Bip Roberts, Athletics infielder, on attempting to play
through an injury with the Detroit Tigers
"I felt like a lot of guys over there already knew
everything. The typical response you got was ‘I know’. I get
that from my daughter."
—Roberts, on his former Tiger teammates
"Bip’s always been a good quote."
—Randy Smith, Tigers general manager, on Roberts
"I’m glad our young players don’t listen to somebody like
that. We’ve got enough problems as it is."
—Buddy Bell, former Tigers manager, on Roberts
"He’s signed. Just as I assume I’m going to be here, at
this point, I don’t know why he wouldn’t be."
—Smith, on Bell
ANDROSTENEDIONE
"It’s legal and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with
it."
—McGwire
"They don’t ban this stuff because it’s benign. They ban
it because it has negative health effects."
—Dr. Kerry Kuehl
THE REST
"This is really frustrating for me. I don’t know what
else to say."
—Hideo Nomo, Mets pitcher, after allowing seven runs
in 2 2/3 innings
"The signing is another demonstration of our ownership’s
commitment to fielding a championship club."
—Jim Beattie, Expos general manager, on signing
outfielder Vladimir Guerrero to a five-year contract
"His experience is a bonus and helps us down the stretch.
"
—Bill Bavasi, Angels general manager, on new Angel
outfielder Gregg Jeffries
"I’m thrilled to have the chance to pitch in the major
leagues again. This is another step in the process to find
out whether I belong here."
—Jim Abbott, White Sox pitcher
"It was all his fault. But he wasn’t suspended or
anything."
—Andres Galarraga, Braves infielder, after his
three game suspension for charging Dodgers pitcher
Darren Dreifort was upheld
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