There was concern there. I'm disappointed in some of the lack of improvement. Dave wanted to make sure we had the right manager in place so these players could continue to improve.

255

Mac really didn't have major-league managerial experience, and we probably wouldn't want to go that route again.

244

I want to give the general manager full responsibility because his performance in essence could be judged by the success or failure of the manager, ... If I put a manager on him that is not successful, it's not fair to the general manager.

215

All I'll say is this is Dave's decision ? he can entertain anyone he wants. I'm not going to try to sway him one way or another, ... I'm fine with what happened and that was a long time ago. Whoever Dave picks, we want someone who gives us the best chance to win.

203

I do think this move puts even more pressure on us, in some ways. I think we have to improve next year. Dave's made a decision that, hopefully, will give us the best chance to do that, along with adding a bat that we desperately need and spending a little more money. I think we're going to put ourselves in the best position we've been in for a long time.

189

I've put a lot of focus on 2006. I think we have to improve next year. I think we are going to put ourselves in the best position that we have been in a long time.

185

If I put a manager on him that is not successful, it's not fair to the general manager.

167

I'm disappointed in some of these players' lack of improvement. I'm not going to name names, but you can probably figure out which players haven't improved. And I think we're going to watch that as we go forward.

146

There are certain players who I think haven't progressed, and we need those players to grow. Put on top of that that we have a slew of young players coming into this thing, and I think Dave just wanted to make the decision to get the best person we can to help these guys continue to develop and evolve. Some can make the argument we didn't do that this year.

129