Off the Couch
“Don’t embarrass yourself and ask for No. 5.”
— Clint Hurdle, former Royal and the Rockies’ hitting coach, offering Neifi Perez advice for when he arrived in George Brett country, Rocky Mountain News
“I realize it’s not a very popular trade, and I realize I’m not a very popular guy right now.”
— Dan O’Dowd, Colorado Rockies general manager, after trading Perez to the Royals, Rocky Mountain News
GH: Perez was considered one of the most popular Rockies. Royals fans will have two years to get to know him before he too is traded away.
“There’s no denying anger, insecurity and paranoia are easier to find in the [Colorado locker] room than a happy face…. The mood in the Colorado clubhouse stinks.”
— Mark Kiszla, columnist, Denver Post
“Perez was a superstar in his mind only. The Rockies were wiser to trade a shortstop with a career .243 batting average on the road and a stubborn refusal to take a walk or advance base runners than to meet his self-aggrandizing salary demands in excess of $5 million per year.”
— Kiszla, Denver Post
“How is it that the small-market Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals can take on star players with sizable salaries while the large-revenue Colorado Rockies trade off one of their few established, home-grown players, Neifi Perez, in exchange for prospects?… How come every year, for the past four years, Rockies fans have to buy into a rebuilding program for tomorrow when baseball has taught them tomorrow makes no promises?”
— Mike Klis, sportswriter, Denver Post
GH: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. No one understands this better than Allard Baird.
“I think we’re going in the right direction. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out this year. I think Allard Baird is one of the best young general managers in baseball, and I have total confidence in him.”
— George Brett, WHB 810
GH: Somebody get George a new compass.
“I just think it smells a little bit funny that the Royals pull off this deal the day after they leave town for a two-week road trip.”
— Dave Stewart, KQRC 98.9
“It’s called quality professional business. I have to say I’m impressed with this trade…. This is not about the inability of the Glass family to pay players.”
— Jim Rose, KMBZ 980
GH: But Rose’s comments are all about Glass’ ability to control KMBZ, the Home of the Royals.
