SPRING TRAINING "The main thing you want to do here is to keep from getting hurt, and we did that." — Joe Carter, Orioles DH "I thought I was coming in to get ready for April 1st. But I guess they still consider me a 19-year-old rookie and I’ve got to win a job." —…
THE YOUNG … "People think the leadoff spot is a big deal. I tell people you’re going to lead off the first inning, and after that, you can be a No. 4 hitter or No. 3 hitter." — Andruw Jones, Braves outfielder "I know what I can do. I can do everything — run, hit,…
DEATH OF HARRY CARAY "It’s really been a heck of run for Harry — just an amazing human being. He squeezed every drop out of about four lifetimes. He really lived life to the fullest." — Ed Lynch, Cubs GM "He was beyond an icon. He was beyond an ambassador for the game. He was…
SPRING TRAINING "Jaret [Wright] deserves a good, long look in spring training. He needs to pitch well. He’s still young, and we need to finish him off." — John Hart, Indians GM "We’ve had time to build the organization and do it the right way. Now we get to the fun part. We have some…
DON SUTTON "When you gave him the ball, you knew one thing — your pitcher was going to give you everything he had. You win as many games as he did, to me, that should be automatic Hall of Fame." — Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers vice president "I thought it was a no-brainer the first year…
GRAB BAG "I’m a little frustrated about our pitching situation right now. We’re still going to be pretty good on the field, but our pitching staff is up in the air, and everybody knows you can’t win without pitching." — Jim Leyland, Marlins manager "I’m an independent person. After this season, I’m a free agent….
SIGNINGS "Vinny [Castilla] has become one of the top players in the major leagues at his position. He plays every day and not only puts up big offensive numbers but has surfaced as one of the best fielding third basemen in baseball today." — Bob Gebhard, Rockies GM "There was never any question we wanted…
THE EXPANSION DRAFT "I think we did as good as we could. I don’t know that there’s anything else we could have done." — Larry Rothschild, Devil Rays manager "I feel extremely good because we had several objectives, and we accomplished all of them." — Fred Claire, Dodgers GM "There were a tremendous amount of…
NL MVP AWARD "It’s such a great feeling. I was going up and down the stairs at my house and I don’t think I hit any of the steps. I just kind of glided up the stairs." — Larry Walker, on winning NL MVP "[Larry Walker] is the MVP, no question. But I go out…
THE WORLD SERIES "I didn’t want to make the error, but the Lord allowed it to happen." — Tony Fernandez "You’re looking at a backup catcher from Double A. I’ve finally arrived at the pinnacle of this sport tonight, so there’s hope for all those guys out there. Don’t give up." — Jim Leyland, Marlins…
THE WORLD SERIES "I think it is really neat for the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins to be playing in the World Series. I think everybody is tired of seeing the Braves." — David Justice "My graduating class was 125 and so far it’s up to 625 that I graduated with asking for tickets." —…
THE ORIOLES "Those guys can play with the gloves. That’s the biggest difference I see in them this year." — Lou Piniella, Mariners manager, on the Orioles "He’s the Oriole way." — Davey Johnson, Orioles manager, on Mike Bordick "He’s one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball today. When he’s on his game, he’s…
AL PLAYOFFS "This is the situation I love. It’s party time, time to get down and dirty. I love pressure situations, and I can handle it with the best of them." — David Wells "When you play a 162-game schedule, there isn’t too much doubt who had the best year. But when you get to…
PLAYOFFS AND PLAYOFF RACES "There’s nothing better than a pennant race." — Dusty Baker, Giants manager "We wanted to let Cleveland know that once the postseason gets here, it’s time to rock and sock." — Jim Thome "We let it get away from us." — Bill Russell, Dodgers manager "When you get knocked out with…
REALIGNMENT "We were given exclusive NL rights to the Bay Area when we bought the team, so I definitely think we have a legal position. We’re not interested in sharing the world of National League baseball with a competitor." — Peter Magowan, Giants owner, on suing MLB if the A’s move to the same division…