Gene Orza
Gene Orza
The Major League Baseball Players Associationis the union of professional major-league baseball players...
failure feels few guy guys interested kinds latter people player playing press
I think there has been a failure by some people in the press to distinguish between a player who's not playing because he feels he can't and the guy who's not interested in playing in this kind of tournament. The latter kinds of guys are very few in number.
doctors doubt medical moment player ready reports suggested troubled
We had medical reports in which the doctors suggested the player was ready to play. I'm troubled by it. But you take me back to the moment I said Luis Ayala should be able to play, I have no doubt I made the right decision.
coming guess measured next players questions success telling time tournament
I think the success of this first tournament will be measured by one thing--that's players coming out telling other players they should have played, that it was fun. My guess is that next time we will not have all the same questions we've had this time.
addition course decides great late players reasons ruled spoken talent tournament ultimately yesterday
There are a lot of other great players in the tournament of course in addition to Manny, which is one of the reasons Manny would probably want to play, with the talent at that level. But I haven't spoken with Manny himself, and, in fact, I think I spoke to one of his representatives as late as yesterday and he hasn't ruled out playing. What he decides is really ultimately going to be up to him though.
consequences contract full hope player says tournament understanding
Every player has a right to play or not to play. You only hope the player who says no has a full understanding of the tournament and the consequences of his nonparticipation, especially when it's a player who wouldn't be here and who wouldn't have the new contract he has but for the association.
allowing assume bad baseball clubs doubt fine guess individual interests players protecting represents smoking steroids worse
Let's assume steroids are very bad to take, but I have no doubt that they are not worse than cigarettes, ... I would never say that to the clubs as an individual who represents the interests of players, 'Gee, I guess by not allowing baseball to suspend and fine players for smoking cigarettes, I am not protecting their health.'
degree fellow fun measured mistake players success telling tournament
The success of the tournament can be measured by one thing and one thing principally. And that is to the degree players come out of it telling their fellow players that it was a lot of fun and they made a mistake by not playing.
absence experience grow heart players pressure spot talking themselves
In my experience with talking to players who have opted out of the tournament, it's not pressure from the club, it's the pressure they themselves feel. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it may not get you a spot on the roster.
best planet players playing wrong
If someone who is one of the best players on the planet isn't playing in the tournament, then there's something wrong with the tournament. I think it's the right conclusion.
although cuba games host last next round
I think Cuba could host games in the next edition, although not the games in the last rounds, but I don't see why it couldn't host the first round games.
addition cut decent enormous known positive represents stride success tournament work
We've long known we have our work cut out for us in Europe, but this tournament represents a decent positive stride in Europe, in addition to the enormous success it has been elsewhere.
best possible understanding
Our understanding is that Pedro, very frankly, is doubtful. It's still possible he will play, but I think it's at best 50-50 right now.
guarantee ways
I won't say we're a long ways away, ... I don't want to say it's not possible. I just can't guarantee it.
against david exciting fun pitching tournament uniform watching
This tournament is going to be a whole lot of fun. It's going to be fun watching Johan Santana in that uniform pitching against David Ortiz in his uniform. It's just going to be that kind of exciting event.