"This team's really, really been grinding. And that's Marvin's philosophy. For us to get a week off and have an opportunity to really rest our bodies and get ready for the playoffs would be huge."

"You interchange those guys in and out, and you've got power and speed and so forth. We do a really good job offensively with our scheme and keeping those guys on their toes."

"He was a phenomenal player. He just kind of had a bad streak of luck."

"I think Coach just wanted to let some starters rest. Going into a game like (next week's), you don't need momentum."

"He was revered throughout the country and will be remembered wherever the game is played. Kirby was taken from us much too soon -- and too quickly."

"Major League Baseball has always recognized the influence that our stars can have on the youth of America. As such, we are concerned that recent revelations and allegations of steroid use have been sending a terrible message to young people."

"St. Louis is closer to Minneapolis than Milwaukee is."

"You mean guys don't get injured in spring training? Guys get hurt walking down the street."

"The greatest country in the history of the world being attacked. So all of this doesn't mean very much today."

"Major League Baseball is a national institution and we take our responsibilities seriously when it comes to how the game affects the lives of American youth."

"Major League Baseball is fortunate to have a man of Jimmie Lee's experience, intellect and dedication already on board to handle such a complex and important position as the chief of our baseball operations. Over the years, he has demonstrated considerable skill in working through the labyrinth of our minor league system. I have great confidence that he will be an enormous success in this key position."

"The intensity has been just remarkable. In the end, the beneficiary of all this will be baseball all over the world. I mean, who knows, long after I'm gone, this event will be big. But more importantly than this event will be big is what it's going to do for baseball, including American baseball."

"This is an important and very historic development for Major League Baseball. Baseball has always served as a bridge that links generations. We created this academy to shore up that bridge in the urban community."

"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am terribly saddened by the sudden passing of Kirby Puckett."

"Walking in here today, … you really did feel a resurgence of interest and dedication. Cincinnati is not only the oldest franchise, it's in many ways a symbol of our sport. So it's important that this franchise succeeds."

"I made the decision, and I meant what I said that the competition was incredible and there will be a lot of disappointed people, ... I have to try to be fair. I understand they had only had a game 12 years ago, but they met all the criteria other than that. They have a gorgeous ballpark ... and Kevin McClatchy was about as tenacious as you can get."

"There is a standard of behavior that is expected of our players, which was breached in this case,"

"It wasn't a question of putting anyone in a corner. It was an integrity issue facing our sport. This is good for the sport, good for the players, good for the health of everybody in the country."

"I'll say this, it is a fair statement to say the program is working. It's the integrity issue that transcends it. That's why we not only need tougher penalties, but we need to go to independent testing so there's nobody who doesn't understand that we are serious. Same thing with amphetamines."

"once and for all deal with the integrity issue. There's no question there was an integrity issue."

"I just said I would review all of the information. I was very careful ... to say exactly what I said, and that's exactly what I mean."

"Steroid users cheat the game. After three offenses, they have no place in it."

"They bring enormous baseball experience to the table, ... Their hires and reorganization will allow us to prepare for and handle every situation that arises in the baseball operations area."

"One of my priorities -- one of the game's priorities -- is the internationalization of baseball. We're doing everything we can to move the sport in an international direction. I think it's going to be absolutely spectacular."