Memorable quotes from 2006
‘‘If you have ever tried to ski when you’re wasted, it’s not easy.’’ — US skiier Bode Miller, during a ‘‘60 Minutes’’ episode.
‘‘I don’t think that’ll happen.’’ — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, when told that commissioner Bud Selig wanted him to attend sensitivity training after his sexually derogatory comments to a Chicago sports columnist.
‘‘My life is unbecoming of a professional.’’ — John Daly, after the release of his tell-all book that chronicles his drinking, his gambling, and his broken marriages prompted PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem to tell Daly he found it unbecoming a professional.
‘‘Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record. We don’t celebrate anybody the second or third time in.’’ — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig explaining why there wouldn’t be a celebration when Barry Bonds surpassed Ruth’s total of 714 home runs. (Aaron is tops, at 755.)
‘‘I feel this is my house.’’ — David Ortiz, when asked why he had signed a long-term deal with the Red Sox back in April.
‘‘As you’re not using our driver, could Matthew [his son] have it.’’ — Nick Faldo to his playing competitor, Tiger Woods, who would go on to hit the driver just once in his British Open victory.
‘‘I’m in a bit of a shock right now.’’ Teenager Andy Murray after halting Roger Federer’s hard-court winning streak at 56 in Cincinnati.
‘‘This is pure sports terrorism.’’ Russian hockey official Gennaday Velichkin after his country’s latest young star, Evgeni Malkin, 19, had walked out on a contract to play in the NHL.
‘‘Basically, I’m here to see the Texas [football] team be honored.’’ — Roger Clemens, a Red Sox clubhouse visitor for the season opener in Texas. The Longhorns were guests of honor in light of their national championship.
‘‘I have no plans of playing at Augusta.’’ — Stephen Ames, after winning The Players Championship and earning a spot into the Masters. He changed his mind two days later and was at Augusta National.
‘‘Oswald is definitely worth more than a fourth-round draft choice.’’ — Al Michaels, who was allowed to leave ABC and go to NBC, which had to give up the rights to a long-forgotten cartoon character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, to sign the heralded broadcaster.
‘‘I feel very sorry and, at the same time, very disappointed to have let my teammates down.’’ Hideki Matsui, after breaking his wrist in an attempt to catch a fly ball against the Red Sox.
‘‘If I had to pick right now and make a decision, I would say I’m not coming back.’’ — Packers quarterback Brett Favre, on Jan. 30. A few months later, he announced that he’d play another season.
‘‘While we do not support him in his decision to provide a discount, we hope the Boston Red Sox will not take advantage of Bronson’s loyalty and use a potential discounted deal to trade him.’’ — Gregg Clifton, agent for Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who indeed was traded to Washington less than three months later.
‘‘He said, ‘Are you all right?’’’ — Bruins defenseman Hal Gill, after getting slammed to the ice by former teammate Joe Thornton, making a return to Boston with San Jose.
‘‘I went and talked to him. We’re still friends.’’ — Thornton, who had been traded to the Sharks just a few weeks earlier.
‘‘I am still in shock that I did that. I’m such an idiot.’’ — Phil Mickelson after he makes a double-bogey on the 72d hole and loses by one in the US Open.
‘‘We’ve got to get better.’’ — Celtic owner Wyc Grousbeck, in January.
‘‘I know they wanted Indy to win this game; the whole world loves Peyton Manning. But come on, man, don’t take the game away from us like that.’’ — Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter in the AFC playoffs after an apparent Steeler interception was ruled incomplete.
‘‘Tell him to switch places with us.’’ — Jaguar Jimmy Smith, responding to Tom Brady’s comment that the Patriots haven’t received enough respect in the days leading up to their 2005 playoff game.
‘‘Not a happy chappy.’’ — Thomas Bjorn, asked how he felt about not being a captain’s pick for the European Ryder Cup team.
‘‘A night for champions. The question you ask is, ‘Who’s going to get it? They took it.’ ’’-- Southern Cal football coach Pete Carroll, after his Trojans were stunned by Texas in the Rose Bowl to win the national title.
