Cross posted from my post at Sons of Sam Horn. Epstein and Francona threw some zingers at the Ramirez camp, but were graceful for all he did for the Red Sox. They emphasized it is now time for the “team” to play to it’s potential.
Jason Bay sounded confident and poised in front of a packed room of media members. Something tells me he is going to be a huge fan favorite.
Theo Epstein:
“Given the totality of the circumstances it was absolutely the right thing to do. We need to talk about the team, no pointing fingers, things were real, not just imagined.”
“This put us in the best possible position to make the playoffs, do damage in the playoffs, going forward, and standing for something, we just had a meeting and it’s now 25 guys that feel like a team.”
“Very reminiscent of 2004, crazy day, many different versions died and this happened with seconds to go. Tito, ownership, baseball ops all were in agreement.”
“Delay in announcement was because MLB computers crashed, the paper work was not finished and we didn’t announce until it was.”
“Undeniable that the environment was not conducive to winning, we wanted to change that, and we did that with a good baseball trade.”
“We are not looking to catch lightning in a bottle, we have the best run differential in the American League. We only need to get back to being a team and stop underperforming.”
“We put nothing on the back burner working on the Manny trade, there was just nothing we could accomplish in this market. The trade we made was the most pressing issue.”
“No second thoughts, but ahead of time we put 2nd, 3rd and 4th thoughts into the deal before we did it. We decided it was the right thing to do.”
“We met with Manny and all his different representatives. We were always honest, even if its not what they wanted to hear.”
“We didn’t make this trade because of last week, it’s a longer story than that. We will listen on every trade offer for any player.”
“Bay’s makeup is good because he knows who he is and will not try to change how he plays or acts. He can be productive in any environment. NO GUARANTEES with a small sample size over a couple of months though, Bay will be productive though. He wants to play in a pennant race.”
“We only ask him to be a contributing member of the baseball team, emphasis on team.”
“Remarkably consistent outside of last year, but injuries and other things explain that.”
“Not many guys this winter would have fit the LF spot in 2009.”
“Manny run was remarkable, key part of 2 World Series teams, no one will take that away. We wish him well, but it is now in the past.”
Terry Francona:
“Exciting in the meeting a while ago, it was a good feeling.”
“At some point we want Ellsbury leading off and the lineup can change.”
“I’ve barley met Bay, I am not going to make up next week’s lineup tonight. Things could change though.”
“The trade: I was pleased, very pleased. All I care about is the team and I feel very good about that today.”
“Moss, great opportunity. Watching him learning is good. We are pleased that he can play, we hope he does real good.”
“Hansen, not perfect in his time here but he will get a different opportunity now. I hope he runs with it.”
“Mental peace? ARE YOU QUOTING MANNY? HAHAHA. We just want to go about our business of winning. We reminded ourselves of that today”
“Hiding my giddiness? What are you guys talking about? I didn’t look over the Dodgers matchups this morning, I looked at the A’s, I don’t care about the Dodgers.”
“This is not a short term jolt of energy, it’s a long term thing. Today was just the right time to talk to the team.”
Jason Bay:
“Whirlwind, sleepless, but for a good reason.”
“I followed the same way everyone else did, at the end it seemed like nothing was goign to happen, but I’m happy.”
“I couldn’t have picked a better place if I was a free agent than Boston, I couldn’t have hand picked a better place.”
“I’m wearing 44, Eric Davis was an idol of mine.”
“Everyone has been nice, everyone trying to help me out at the airport! Best fans in baseball, I can’t wait to be part of the home team.”
“Last year was a down year, no excuses, I played though injuries and it just didn’t work.”
“I know people will compare me to Manny, I was traded to Pitt for Giles, I am just going to go play the game.”
“I remember in Boston everyone was singing Sweet Caroline, I know it is stupid, but I liked it, the atmosphere, I wanted to be here.”
“I am looking forward to a lot less running, PNC was huge behind me. Fenway looks like it will be great for me offensive and defensively.”
“Man, there are a lot of reporters in here.”
“How weird this may be, my dad was a huge Red Sox fan, I grew up with Yaz and Rice posters on my wall. They are still in the house.”
