The Week in Quotes: January 26-February 15

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 players signed, and they’re getting in shape and
ready to go, and I want to see some baseball."

— Jerry Colangelo, Diamondbacks owner

"We’re going to be working hard in spring training
to prove that this is a much better ballclub than
anybody wants to give us credit for."

— Jack McKeon, Reds manager

SPRING HOPES

"We have a different standard here than we had a
year ago. Last year, there was a lot of enthusiasm …
but low expectations. This year the expectations are
higher — maybe a lot higher than they should be."

— Gene Lamont, Pirates manager

"I feel if we stay healthy, we have just as good a
chance to win a wild card as any other team in the
National League."

— Curt Schilling

"I have cleaned out my brain and will try to do
well."

— Hideki Irabu

"I feel awesome. I loved it. I threw real hard. I
wanted to let it go and impress some people, open some
eyes."

— Jose Rijo

"I had some injuries that set me back. But I got
them fixed, and now I’m ready to go."

— Lenny Dykstra

"I don’t know how many people have really looked
at our team that close yet, but I don’t know how it
could get much better. The biggest thing is going to be
keeping everyone healthy."

— Jeff Brantley

SIGNINGS

"My feelings were tugging me. I was not sure where
I wanted to be. I realized that as time went on, I
wanted to be in Boston."

— John Valentin

"I love playing in Boston. That short porch in
left field kind of helps me."

— Troy O’Leary

"Ozzie [Guillen] is not only a quality baseball
player, but a quality person as well. Throughout his
career he has played with great enthusiasm and a
winning attitude. He provides us with another veteran
to come off the bench with the ability to play
regularly if needed."

— Pat Gillick, Orioles GM

THE REST

"Before my career ends, I would love to achieve Ty
Cobb’s runs-scored record. Since I’ve been in the major
leagues, that’s been one of my priorities."

— Rickey Henderson

"I just wish my job could get a little easier. We
got rid of Glenallen Hill, so who is it now? Me, J.T.
Snow and Jeff Kent? We need a big hitter."

— Barry Bonds

"It’s important to have experienced guys who know
what it takes."

— Bill Russell, Dodgers manager

"Our posture basically is to win."

— Lou Piniella, Mariners manager

"Ideally, you want a five-tool guy. But the
run-and-throw guys get left by the wayside while the
hitters keep going. We don’t want to ignore
run-and-throwers, but if there is a choice to be made
and we think the guy is going to play in the major
leagues, we’re going to go with the hitter. We’re going
to have to change a little bit. We’re going to have to
emphasize hitting more."

— Darrell Rodgers, Reds assistant GM

"I hate losing. I never get used to it. I never
will get used to it."

— Chuck Knoblauch

"The vote is not going to be unanimous. I wouldn’t
expect it to be unanimous. But I think the votes are
there to approve it in March. As of this moment, I
would be surprised if it was turned down."

— Peter O’Malley, Dodgers owner, on the sale of
his team

"Nothing is important now except the future."

— Darryl Strawberry

"Five innings is a minimal thing. I want the
starters to average seven innings. And I want my guys
to realize effort is not good enough. They better find
a way to work through tough times."

— Dave Stewart, Padres pitching coach