David Ortiz: “I talked to Manny a couple of weeks ago and he said he’s going to Italy (today),” Ortiz said yesterday. “He might’ve been (joking). I don’t know how he’s going to go (today) and be back (tomorrow). I guess he’s going to go on a round trip on the same day.”
What are the Vegas odds on Manny showing up Thursday in Fort Myers?
Bryant Gumbel: “Finally, tonight, the Winter Games. Count me among those who don’t like them and won’t watch them … Because they’re so trying, maybe over the next three weeks we should all try too. Like, try not to be incredulous when someone attempts to link these games to those of the ancient Greeks who never heard of skating or skiing. So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world’s greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the Winter Games look like a GOP convention. Try not to point out that something’s not really a sport if a pseudo-athlete waits in what’s called a kiss-and-cry area, while some panel of subjective judges decides who won … So if only to hasten the arrival of the day they’re done, when we can move on to March Madness – for God’s sake, let the games begin.”
Dear Mr. Gumbel, you suck.
Barry Bonds: “I’m not playing baseball anymore after this,” Bonds said. “The game (isn’t) fun anymore. I’m tired of all of the crap going on. I want to play this year out, hopefully win, and once the season is over, go home and be with my family. Maybe then everybody can just forget about me.
“I’ve never cared about records anyway, so what difference does it make? Right now, I’m telling you, I don’t even want to play next year. Baseball is a fun sport. But I’m not having fun.”
Can’t say we’ll miss you, Barry.
Keith Foulke: “I’ll never be channeled toward baseball — that just won’t happen,” he explained. “I’m not a baseball fan. The reason why I play this game is [that] I love to pitch and I love being around my teammates. All the down time of baseball is what I don’t like.”
That’s Foulke in a nutshell. And the reason he won’t be back to 2004-like form ever again.
Jon Papelbon: “For me, it’s just a matter of going out there, proving myself and keep letting Tito [manager Terry Francona] and [general manager Theo Epstein] and all the guys around me know that I’m here to win and I’m here to contribute in any way I can.”
That’s the kind of attitude I want on my team. It will be a battle between him and Coco for fan favorite this year.
