FIRST WALKS
"When I go to the plate I’m only thinking about hitting and putting the ball
in play. I go to the plate thinking aggressive. If it happens, I’ll take it,
but I’m not going to change my game."
—Alfonso Soriano, Yankees infielder, on drawing his first
walk of the year
"Now that the pressure is off his back, he’s liable to walk again someday."
—Joe Torre, Yankees manager
"I got into the box, and the catcher, Bengie Molina, was a guy I played
against in Puerto Rico. He says, ‘Congratulations on getting to the big
leagues — and by the way, we’re gonna walk you’."
—Luis Lopez, Blue Jays infielder, on being intentionally walked in his
first major-league appearance
"It was kind of embarrassing. I know they’re trying to win the game, but
when they walk a guy in his first major-league at-bat to get to you, it’s
kind of tough to take."
—Jeff Frye, Blue Jays infielder
WALKING PAPERS
"This is not something I wanted to do, but I wrestled with the decision. It
will be a lot easier to get a new voice in the clubhouse than new players."
—Johnny Oates, former Rangers manager, on resigning
"I told Johnny ‘I would like to talk you out of it,’ but inside in my heart
I felt maybe it was the right time."
—Doug Melvin, Rangers general manager
"This will be hopefully the start to getting our intangibles to work."
—Tom Hicks, Rangers owner
"If you’re going to get fired in this business, it might as well be early.
Then you can enjoy your summer."
—Lou Piniella, Mariners manager
THE REST
"I see little connection between superstars and winning. Good pitching,
solid defense and good chemistry win games."
—Howard Lincoln, Mariners CEO
"I’m not content hitting .286 like I did last year. But, first and foremost,
I’m a run producer. If I’m driving in 117 like I did last year, there’s not
much to complain about. From a front-office standpoint, that’s what they
expect of me…. When it’s all said and done, you can’t deny the numbers.
You can say what you want about me, but it’s there in black and white.
There’s no arguing the numbers."
—Garret Anderson, Angels outfielder
"We’re young, we’re inexperienced, but we play the game hard. And if we
catch a break here or there, we can win some ballgames."
—Mike Hargrove, Orioles manager, on his team
"[Charles Johnson] will never bunt as long as I’m manager. That’s etched in
stone. If I bunt Charles Johnson, put me in an insane asylum… where I may
be headed anyway."
—John Boles, Marlins manager
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