Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
classic context defines espn historical history news proper sports thirsty
ESPN Classic is going through a transition. They're thirsty to put today's news in its proper historical sports context ... History defines sports. Without that context, today's news wouldn't be as grand.
contend last move trying
It was acknowledging that we lacked upper-level prospects. That was a middle-of-the-road move, trying to contend and rebuild. But it was the last middle-of-the-road move that we made.
validation
I want it for us , ... not as any validation for me.
optimistic
It's not done yet, but I'm optimistic that we can get it done.
alex comment less positive statement
It's less a comment on Alex Cora than it is a positive statement about those two.
actual ambitious criticized easy entire far fortunate funny research suggested time turn
It's funny now because, at the time, I was criticized for it being so far away. Our actual research back then suggested it was a very ambitious time frame. We were very fortunate to be able to do it. It's not easy to turn over an entire team.
beating both chicago deep division easy lots major minnesota nights tough
It's a very tough division. There aren't going to be many easy nights at all when you play in the division this year. There's going to be lots of beating up on each other. Chicago and Minnesota both have exceptional pitching. Detroit's lineup is as deep as any in the major leagues, if they are all healthy.
clearer deal easier heading might next value year
It might be an easier deal to do next year because we'll have a clearer sense what the value is heading into the first year of arbitration.
effect good side trade
It's an undesirable side effect of a good trade.
best spring thus training
This may be the best day of spring training thus far.
games last surprised team tough white wins
This is a very tough division. I'll be surprised if any team wins as many games as the White Sox did last year.
eric talked
That's something Eric (Wedge) and I have already talked about.
hoping
That's the best-case scenario. We're hoping that will happen.
both core happening players run signed similar team together
It's similar in that both times we signed core players who we wanted to keep together for a run of championship baseball. That's what's most important about what's happening here now. We want to keep this team together.