Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
bigger clients expected folks investing looking lots money playing walk
We were looking for a bigger playing field. Folks expected to walk into clients without investing lots of money, but the so-called 'low-hanging fruit' wasn't there.
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.
average fastball lots major paul pitch
Paul had an average fastball and average curve. He was going to pitch in the major leagues, but there was nothing that would particularly distinguish him from lots of other guys.
clean consistent game played turned
We just played consistent in between the tackles and turned out the first downs. It was a pretty clean game for us.
club spring training
We're very comfortable going into spring training with the club we've got right now.
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.
anybody august coming contending last late looking spring team time year
Every time we go through something, it's a young team and we're going through it for the first time, ... Last year, it was contending late in the season, in August and September. This year ... coming out of spring training, it was the first time anybody was looking at us.
finished good improve left product swing
There's some things left in his swing that he could still improve upon, but nothing dramatic. He's not a finished product right now. But he's going to be a good player.
backward boston depth extremely farm good impressive period pitching players point productive run short small step system
Boston is positioned extremely well for the future. They have a good farm system with upper-level players and a depth of pitching talent. They've rebuilt the farm system from a dilapidated system to a productive one. If they take a small step backward this year, at some point they will go on a run that will be an impressive run. They're a short period away.
good question
Brandon Phillips is going to be a good major-leaguer. The question is when and where.
bob next pitch wants
Bob is an option. We know he wants to pitch next year.
obviously talent time
The talent is obviously there, but we want him to get comfortable so that he doesn't think that he has to have a day like that all the time to impress.
came career followed hello liked respected sure
I've always liked and respected Paul. I've followed his career and made sure to say hello to him when he came to town.
best dictates general manager relationship situation type
Every situation dictates the type of person who is the best fit, ... The relationship between general manager and manager is so important.