The key is if a person can compete at this level and also has the kind of makeup and professionalism that Mike has, you're going to be better off as a team. But the most important aspect is that they have to help you win games. |
The most important thing about that is that when we did that deal, he was happy about it. |
The number of years in a row we've been predicted to fall out of first place. Happens every year. |
The pain in the forearm is coming from a ligament in the elbow that needs to be reconstructed. |
The point of the book was to give fans an inside look at what a general manager does, in terms of personal interaction, in terms of trade-making, in terms of issues that general managers deal with. In this case, I thought I had an opportunity, with literary license, to show a very human side of him. If his point is, 'OK, John, that was a private conversation and I would prefer that you keep it that way,' I understand that. |
The thing about those who called for our demise, so early on in this whole process, was that, after 12 years of doing this in a variety of different ways, up against a variety of different challenges, that we didn't get any more credit than that. |
The viewpoints attributed to John Rocker in no way reflect the views of the Atlanta Braves organization. |
There are two components. It's a process that keeps our organization filled with talented players because we have excellent people involved in scouting and the minor league system. The second part is Bobby Cox and his coaching staff, who take this talent wherever it comes from and blends it as effectively as any staff in the major leagues can do. |
There's a lot of it still on the table. Big piles of it. |
There's no apprehension whatsoever, |
They weren't being critical, |
They've all been rewarding. Each division championship you win has its own measure of reward. But this year is the most rewarding because we had to (overhaul) our roster in midstream. |
This gives us an opportunity to see if he and his teammates can become a cohesive unit again, |
This has been as rewarding as any year I've been in baseball, |
This is the gold standard, |