In honor of those players, and for fun, we are glad to bring you this quote:

It was all about doing things right. If you played the game the right way, played the game for the team, good things would happen. That’s what I loved most about the game, how a ground out to second with a man on second and nobody out was a great thing. In my day, if a guy came to spring training 20 pounds heavier than what he left, he was considered out of shape and was probably in trouble. He’d be under a microscope and the first time he couldn’t beat out a base hit or missed a fly ball, he was probably shipped out. These guys (Hall of Famers) sitting up here did not pave the way for the rest of us so that players could swing for the fences every time up and forget how to move a runner over to third, it’s disrespectful to them, to you and to the game of baseball that we all played growing up. Respect.

Ryne Sandberg, from his Hall of Fame induction speech, July 24, 2005

In honor of those players, and for fun, we are glad to bring you this quote:

We know we are better than this, but we can’t prove it.

Tony Gwynn, on a Padres losing streak, quoted in USA Today, July 26, 1989

In honor of those players, and for fun, we are glad to bring you this quote:

Everyone asks me “why” about everything. I have no idea. I see it. I swing. I hit it.

Wade Boggs, on his superior eyesight, in the Washington Post, July 26, 1987

A useful, limited tool for pre-game preparation, how do our guys match up with their guys?  It’s inaccurate for in-game strategy. When you actually get into the game, better to see what’s happening that day. Who is hot? What’s the weather?

Limited Edition Tony LaRussa autographed MLB Black baseball

— Tony LaRussa, retired major league manager destined for Cooperstown, quoted by Forbes Magazine online

I’m excited to share the city and stadium I love with today’s All-Stars and baseball fans around the world. It’s an honor to once again be a part of the Midsummer Classic and baseball’s special celebration.

—George Brett, Hall of Famer and 13-time All-Star, who was named the official ” Ambassador for MLB All-Star Summer.” The Royals great will serve as the manager for the U. S. Team in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game (July 8). On that same day he will play in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

We had a very scientific system of bringing in relief pitchers. We used the first one who answered the phone.

—Chuck Estrada, former Texas Rangers pitching coach, quoted in Baseball Digest, November 1974

The hard part is going to be seeing these guys make the playoffs and the World Series this year, and I won’t be in there.

— Royals closer Joakim Soria, on the prospect of a year-long rehab after elbow surgery.

Due to a total let down of creativity on this front, we will hear from the thirty teams according to alphabetical order. Today’s team for a quote: Oakland Athletics

At this stage of my career, I could pretend to kick the can down the road, but that’s not part of my DNA. When you’re somewhere in the middle, you’re just prolonging the process you’ll eventually have to undertake. The competitor in me wants to win every day, but I also want to create something that’ll get better year after year.

Oakland GM, Billy Beane, of Moneyball fame

Due to a total lack of creativity on this front, we will hear from the thirty teams according to alphabetical order. Today’s team for a quote: Colorado Rockies

“It’s not every day…only one time in six years.”

The Rockies’ Juan Nicasio speaking of taking a line drive off his head last Aug. 5 while pitching at Coors Field. The fall to the mound resulted in a fractured C-1 vertebra. Many are calling his return to the mound in Spring Training this year nearly miraculous.

Due to a total lack of creativity on this front, we will hear from the thirty teams according to alphabetical order. Today’s team for a quote: Cleveland Indians

“My career, every year has been better, better, better. This year (2011), I was at the bottom. So next year, I can only go up. Maybe it won’t be stressful. I’ll just be able to play. I’ll get healthy in the offseason and then next year come back and then just play. I’ll show them I’m healthy and I can still play.”

Tribe outfielder, Shin-Soo Choo