The Week in Quotes: June 7-13

“What an unbelievable game. Obviously the fans here love Pedro and
they’re pulling for him but I think when it came down to it, they really
wanted us to win.”

— Mike Thurman, Expos pitcher

“I just wanted to come back here and keep on rolling but they beat me.
If I’m ever going to lose to a team, I’d rather lose to this team. Not
to any other.”

— Pedro Martinez, Red Sox pitcher

“I felt fast and quick at first but by my third at-bat, I was a little
weary. It will be good to have a day off to recover. My energy level has
to get back up there when it’s time to hit.”

— Barry Bonds, Giants outfielder, on his first game off the DL

“When you play 160 games a year and then miss 47 of them, you are eager
to get back. We expect him to do the same thing he has always done, be a
tremendous player. We have 102 more games with him back and it is hard to
think of another 102 without him.”

— Dusty Baker, Giants manager

“They’ve got All-Stars at every position. You look at the scoreboard,
and their statistics look like zip codes.”

— Jack McKeon, Reds manager, on the Indians

“I was really nervous. I had only seen him on TV before.”

— Benny Agbayani, Mets outfielder, on facing Roger Clemens

“I love watching Juan Guzman hit. It’s a big thrill.”

— Brady Anderson, Orioles outfielder

“I equate umpires with federal judges. And I don’t believe they should
always be subject to the voter, just like federal judges are not subject
to the voter.”

— Richie Phillips, umpires union head

“Federal judges can be impeached, and they are from time to time. People
have to believe that there is accountability, that if you’re incompetent,
you don’t survive…. I got worried when I found out that players were
more concerned with who was umpiring the next day than they were about
who was pitching the next day.”

— Sandy Alderson, MLB executive vice president

“I thought I pitched quite well. I only gave up six hits, but three
of them were home runs. I battled and that’s all you can ask for.”

— Livan Hernandez, Marlins pitcher

“I’m ready. I’m excited with the way I’m throwing the ball. Now it’s
time to start applying what I’ve worked on over the last couple of months
in game situations.”

— Mark Wohlers, Reds pitcher, on making a rehab assignment in the
minors

“We’ve had three games in 10 days when we’ve put 11 runs on the board
[and lost]. You should win. It is disturbing. It’s a little troubling.”

— Lou Piniella, Mariners manager

“He’s amazing. He’s a great hitter and a great power hitter. He’s a good
human being, too. Those are three things you don’t find a lot in baseball.”

— Mike Hampton, Astros pitcher, on Jeff Bagwell

“It’s kind of nice at 38 to have a first in your career. It’s very
difficult to put together three hits in a game. To have a night go
like this is very special, whether you’re 38 or 21.”

— Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles infielder, on getting six hits in a
game

“I stay ready. I take pride in that. I come in and lift weights and I
hit in the cage inside all during the game. When they call on me, I’m
ready.”

— Keith Osik, Pirates catcher

“I was thrilled with the kid. He didn’t look or act like it was his
first time out there on a major league field. He was poised, he held
runners close, it was a very productive outing for him.”

— Terry Francona, Phillies manager, on Randy Wolf

“The last time I looked, there were 30 teams on the big league level,
and that means that if you can walk and chew gum at the same time, you’ll
probably get a look sometime. It’s what you do when you get that chance
that counts.”

— Jim Fregosi, Blue Jays manager

“He needs some at-bats. He needs to get in there … and feel more
comfortable. He’s part of our team, and he could be a big part of our
team. You’ve got to use them all, and he deserves a shot to get some
at-bats. I like him, and I’m DHing him.”

— Jim Leyland, Rockies manager, on Kirt Manwaring

“We’re definitely taking our hacks. That’s what it’s going to take to
score runs — got to keep swinging.”

— Matt Lawton, Twins outfielder