This is bigger than baseball in the Olympics because of the attraction of the fans. If they're going to knock us out, then we have got something that they don't have. That's how I feel and I want the Olympic people to know it. |
This is something that we needed so desperately in this game. And to see the reaction of the fans all over the country is really and truly amazing, and to see the excitement at that ballpark today was stimulating. All of us in baseball should really say to those guys congratulations for what they've done for the game. |
We met with him for two hours, and we talked about everything. He seldom laughed, that was one thing I noticed. He did not have much of a sense of humor. But he was a good fan of baseball, and he loved to talk about it. |
What is my opinion of his performance? |
When Castro came into power, they called a general strike, and nothing moved for nine days. We were playing ball when the battle was going on, but after Castro took over, he wanted to see me. |
When I went with the U.S. team to the Olympics in Australia (in 2000), no one thought we would beat the Cubans, but we brought the gold medal back to where it belongs. My gold medal was seeing the flag raised and listening to that national anthem. |
When we lose, I eat. When we win, I eat. I also eat when we're rained out. |
When we win, I'm so happy I eat a lot. When we lose, I'm so depressed, I eat a lot. When we're rained out, I'm so disappointed I eat a lot. |
Why? Go ask my wife, she'll tell you. |
With so many new faces, ... it's hard to say who will lead the team. |
You know why Cuba is so good? It's because they have their pick of the nation's top athletes. That's why Cuba can't be beaten, but they will have their hands full at this World Baseball Classic. But think about it. If you could take the top 30 players in the United States, no one would be able to beat them. |
You wait till you see that Dominican team. You wait till you see Puerto Rico. You wait till you see Venezuela. . . . Matsui is a great player. The Japanese team needs him. |
You've got to be patriotic. You've got to be proud of the country that you come from. |