TRADES
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“Fernando [Vina] is the type of player we have been seeking for some time.
He’s a proven leadoff hitter who runs well, plays solid defense, and will
serve as a catalyst for our offense.”
- — Walt Jocketty, Cardinals GM
“San Diego is where I would love to play. And I think Bret [Boone] and
I agree that we’re going to come in and win some games.”
- — Ryan Klesko, Padres infielder
“I think this is a baseball trade. There is very little financial
implication. We needed that power that Boone (30) and Klesko (28) represent.
And this is another step toward our goal of getting younger.”
- — Kevin Towers, Padres GM
SIGNINGS
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“Here’s a guy we thought would come in and do a fill job, but he wound up
one of the more pleasant surprises in my 40 years in this game. I was amazed
what he gave us, both offensively and defensively.”
- — Jim Fregosi, Blue Jays manager, on Tony Batista
“I dream every night of going to the playoffs. That is something that’s been
missing in my 14 years in the big leagues. I feel like I’ve been given a second
chance.”
-
— Chuck Finley, pitcher, on signing a three-year deal with the
Indians
“It’s been a great thing for me to come to this city. I’m making money
now, and I don’t want to leave for a long time.”
-
— Jose Lima, pitcher, on signing a three-year extension with the
Astros
“Doc is a special pitcher who commands instant respect among his peers. I
still think there is some magic left in that arm, and hopefully we can find
it here in Houston.”
-
— Gerry Hunsicker, Astros GM, on signing Dwight Gooden to
a minor league contract
“I have always been a big F.P. Santangelo fan. Not only does he provide us
with depth for our bench, he also brings a warrior mentality with a high
level of intensity.”
- — Kevin Malone, Dodgers GM
“I didn’t know if I was going to have that opportunity again. I’m really kind
of numb right now. It doesn’t seem like it’s real. But I know that it’s right.
That’s the uniform I’m supposed to be playing in.”
- — Andy Benes, pitcher, on signing with the Cardinals
JOHN ROCKER
-
“You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody
speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and
Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did
they get in this country?”
- — John Rocker, Braves pitcher, on his dislike of New York
“Even though it might appear otherwise from what I’ve said, I am not a
racist. I should not have said what I did because it is not what I believe
in my heart.”
- — John Rocker
“The viewpoints attributed to John Rocker in no way reflect the views of
the Atlanta Braves organization. He works for us, but in no way do the
comments, attitude and feelings represent those of the Atlanta Braves.”
- — John Schuerholz, Braves GM
“Something should be done about this so that Mr. Rocker is held accountable
for his vicious and bigoted remarks. I think it’s a terrible attitude. It’s
a problem. I think the Braves actually have a responsibility to do something
about this.”
- — Rudolph Giuliani, New York city mayor
“Can we release him? Yes, we can. Sure, we can, and that continues to be an
option. But what we have here is a case of a player who, to me at least, has
expressed a great deal of remorse immediately and hasn’t backed away from that
at all, who has accepted the responsibility and sought help. And under those
circumstances, I’m not going to abandon a player or an employee or friend….”
- — Stan Kasten, Braves president
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