Gene Orza Quotations

The fact of the matter is, the Japanese have to establish the fact that they can draw fans to games other than when Japan is playing. If we hold a final in Japan that winds up being Cuba playing the U.S., I have no good feeling about what kind of attendance that would be. That's my point.

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.'

Seattle will not want for a personal argument, I'll tell you that much. The weather might not be optimal, but we know (CEO) Howard (Lincoln) and Chuck are big supporters of international baseball.

Seattle will not want for a personal argument, I'll tell you that much, ... The weather might not be optimal, but we know (CEO) Howard (Lincoln) and Chuck are big supporters of international baseball.

Seattle is certainly in the running. It has a fair shot.

No one would want to broadcast the event or at least pay anything substantial for it, coming as it would on the heels of the World Series and the onset of the football and basketball seasons.

My understanding is that Pedro, very frankly, is doubtful.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Part of our task is to let a consensus emerge.

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.

It doesn't make sense. That's my only comment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We don't believe the tournament will create more injuries than spring training otherwise would.

We don't believe the tournament is going to create any greater number of injuries than spring training itself would.

There is actually a thought out there that the Korean who did test positive, tested positive because he failed to properly process a therapeutic use exemption. I don't know if that's a fact. Appeals come after the event.

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.

We have a clock. We're not going to play this event without umpires. And I believe that the basic problem the WUA faces in our continuing discussions with them is that that clock may have stopped before they became more reasonable in their demands. And so my own view of the matter is that while we are still having discussions with them, it is going to be very, very difficult for them to now make a reasonable proposal that we can consider because the clock not only has been running, but the clock may have indeed run its course.

We are very disappointed with the government's decision to deny the participation of a team from Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. We will continue to work within appropriate channels in an attempt to address the government's concerns and will not announce a replacement unless and until that effort fails.

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.

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.

No one wants to play more than Pedro does. So if it's at all possible, he will play. Obviously, his toe is still an issue. I spoke with a representative of Pedro within the last 24 hours. It is still possible he will play, but at best it's 50-50 right now.

Coming to camp on March 1 doesn't bode well for Manny's participation.

American fans should be excited about what they're going to see because it's something never seen before. It's going to be fun.

There was a time when people were saying, 'Will there be a next time?' Now it's a given. That's a tribute to the tournament and how it has been conducted. It is now a given there will be a tournament in 2009.

There will be no split season. It's not a negotiating ploy, believe me. It's their decision and that's what we will do.

It's going to be a lot of fun.

That's as many tickets that have been sold for the Winter Olympics.

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.

I have not spoken with Manny himself, but I have spoken with people who represent him. Coming to camp on March 1 does not bode well for Manny to be able to play. But Manny is eligible and obviously the Dominican team would love to have Manny play.

And that is a big change in the mind-set.