GET OUT OF TOWN!
“If there was the ability to do a deal with the Yankees, frankly we’d love to see it done and we’d help in any way we could… He’s always had a desire to play for the New York Yankees.”
–Jeff Moorad, Manny Ramirez’ agent, after Ramirez was put on waivers by the Red Sox on Wednesday (AP)
“I think he does feel some sense of appreciation for the team at least taking the step to give the Yankees a chance to claim him… In the end, if he’s still with the Red Sox next season, all this will blow over and he’ll be back on the field doing his thing.”
–Moorad
DANCIN’ IN THE STREETS
“We’re a low-revenue team, and we get lost in the shuffle because we don’t play on the Game of the Week… We don’t have those established veterans who hit 40 home runs every year. A lot of people don’t know us, but they can join us in the parade.”
—Mike Lowell, Marlins third baseman (AP)
“I think Jeffrey has made a sound commitment that he wants to continue with competitive, winning ballclubs here… I think we’ll have a winning team here next year.”
—Jack McKeon, Marlins manager, on owner Jeff Loria (AP)
“Sure, there has been a little bandwagon jumping, but I think that’s only normal… Hopefully there’s a big carry-over effect next year. People are excited about this team, and I think we’re going to have a good product beyond this year.”
–Lowell
“You’ve seen a lot of young fans here interested in baseball, and that’s where your fan base is going to come from for years and years… If you just keep it going without having a drastic fallback, I think you’ll see this thing continue to grow, and I think you’ll see the club continue to win.”
–McKeon
LATER…
“We will now seek a new manager for the long term to take us in a new direction, and, we hope, to the next level… The decision to make a change resulted from months of thought about that long-term direction.”
—Larry Lucchino, Red Sox president, after firing manager Grady Little (AP)
“We played into the 11th inning before losing Game Seven of the ALCS… Yes, we came up short of our goal, and to the Red Sox Nation, I say I hurt with each of you. It was painful for all of us.”
—Grady Little, former Red Sox manager (AP)
THE REST
“Julio did a fine job for us in 2003… He provided us with more run production than we’ve had from that position in the past and his defense improved as the season wore on. We’re glad to have him returning as a middle infielder next season.”
—Chuck LaMar, Devil Rays general manager, after picking up next year’s option on Julio Lugo (AP)
“After weighing our options, we felt the best decision for Frank was to return to the White Sox… I know Frank would like nothing better than to help the White Sox win a World Series title.”
–Arn Tellem, Frank Thomas’ agent, after accepting the White Sox option for 2004 (AP)
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