Gene Orza Players Quotations

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.'

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 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.

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.

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.

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.