The Week in Quotes: October 20-November 2

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 manager

"I don’t think it was as bad as everyone thought it
would be. I wasn’t cold at all."

— Matt Williams, on the games in Cleveland

"This is definitely the best day of my life.
I’m very, very happy. I got to cry with my mother,
talk to her a little bit, and then win a World Series.
This is better than a dream."

— Livan Hernandez, who was also named Series
MVP

"I racked up the numbers. Everybody could see my
performance on offense and defense during the Series,
and everywhere I go people tell me I was the Most
Valuable Player."

— Moises Alou, unhappy about the Series MVP
selection

"It’s more disappointing than you can say, but
we’re still breathing."

— Mike Hargrove, Indians manager

"Last year when I went home to Colombia, they
gave me a parade. This year… I don’t know. It will
be explosive."

— Edgar Renteria

THE REST

"The reason I did this is I want the Phillies to
be able to protect a younger player that will help us
be a better team."

— Gregg Jefferies, on waiving his protection
rights for the expansion draft

"I don’t know what they can possibly go through that
I haven’t. I’ve been traded. I’ve been released. I’ve
been a 20-game winner and I’ve been a zero [game]
winner. So when it comes to relating to players, I
don’t think I’ll have any problems."

— Dave Stewart, on being named Padres pitching
coach

"I just want to pitch. If Eck can do it at 43, I
can do it, too."

— Lee Smith, on making a comeback

"Becoming the Dodgers’ major-league pitching coach
was my dream job. I have a chance now to expand my
horizons in the game and make myself a more complete
baseball man."

— Dave Wallace, on being named assistant GM of
the Mets

"We had pretty much anticipated he’d be out perhaps
all year long anyway. But as far as not having a
complete tear, and not being a career-ending injury,
that’s good news."

— Dave Dombrowski, Marlins GM, on injured
pitcher Alex Fernandez

"There will be a change next year. This is one of
those rare situations in life where everybody benefits."

— Bud Selig, acting commissioner, on speeding
up the game

"If the politicians don’t want to build a new
stadium, who in their right mind would continue to
lose $34 million a year?"

— Wayne Huizinga, Marlins owner