Bob Castellini Quotations

We're going to give you a winning team.

We want to try to build the franchise around Adam, Homer, Edwin and a couple of other guys.

We didn't want to complicate Friday with this announcement. This was a very difficult decision. It was very difficult on Dan, who gave of himself totally here. He tried very, very hard. The results haven't materialized yet and I just wanted my own person.

Lou really had a year that he had to stay away from major league baseball. I didn't know that at the time we talked about it. It's just not going to happen this year. And I would expect Lou to go back to managing.

I have a lot of memories, and they've all been great. I'm so excited about today, I can't even think of anything. Every Opening Day is a special day. Win or lose, it's a special day.

Frankly, I was worried about George throwing a strike. (His pitch) was a little high and it was either inside or outside, there wasn't a batter, so we don't know.

If all the stars line up, we're going to have a pitching staff that's a lot better than it was last year.

He was totally prepared. He blew us away.

There is no criticism of Dan. I just needed my own person.

We're proud to announce that the president will join us for the start of this new beginning for Cincinnati Reds baseball.

Some of the people on the list may not want their names out yet.

I was very grateful for his special advisory help the last two weeks. It's been great. He's a great baseball man and a great individual. He'll be a general manager again.

It all comes down to the organization we build and the people that we surround ourselves with.

We're very proud of how far we've gotten this year.

We operate it. We don't own it. That's a big difference.

We want to be in Sarasota the rest of our lives. There's no problem with a long-term commitment on our part.

The expectations that are out there for a turnaround, everyone is ready for a winning season with the Reds and that's been a great support system. When you feel like at the beginning everyone is behind you.

We've got a lot of really great people interested in tackling this job. We're just into (the interview process) one day and I've heard so much about our tradition and how much it's meant to people and why people want to head up the Reds.

This was fun. The sitting president to come out and throw the first ball? That's a great honor for your baseball team, your fans, your city, your region. That doesn't happen very often. First time in 130 years it happened here. It's something we were proud of and wanted to go without a hitch and it certainly did.

What I want him to focus on while he's here is to take a look at our entire pitching program, from soup to nuts, and see what our plan is and let me know. Because I haven't been able to fully understand what our plan is.

We spent a lot more money on scouting in the last two or three years and a lot more on minor league development, but the results are not showing yet. And I understand that it's supposed to take longer than that, but I'm impatient.

We certainly want to approach the state legislature about a new facility. We understand that the people in the state of Florida are favorably inclined.

This officially turns the baseball operations to you.

Every team would like to have the sitting president of the United States throw out the first ball.

I wanted someone in this vitally important job who I have selected to lead the team and baseball organization.

I wanted Lou to come up here in the worst way as a special adviser. He promised me if I asked him to, he'd come down to spring training. He's just a terrific guy. He'll not be with us this year.

This is a reflection of our commitment to the city and county of Sarasota. We want to become an integral part of the fabric of the community and identify ourselves as part of this wonderful city.

This is the most important thing we have to do.

As we build our organization, we'll likely do some other things differently once we get our sleeves rolled up. I intend to work out of the Reds' offices on a daily basis until I have an insider's understanding of how we work.

Absolutely. I think Minnesota is arguably, as a small market club, one of the finest organizations in baseball -- or at least a photo finish with one or two other franchises.

It was a very big consideration - very big.

It's been an exhilarating day. We had everything go right for us but the outcome of the game, but that's baseball. The weather went right, the parade went well, the president throwing out the first pitch went flawless.

It's gratifying to see how many people care about this organization and bringing championship baseball here. People care, they really care, and these are competent people that are part of this organization or want to be part of it. This is a hidden treasure here.

It's got to be somebody who's very knowledgeable about baseball, passionate, a good evaluator of talent.

Dan is the consummate professional and was dedicated to the Reds. We wish him nothing but the best.

It's important we can convey our message through the media and to the fans. I think for a long time, the fans and the media perhaps felt that hasn't always been the case.

I want someone in this job who is my choice. I told Dan he has worked hard and has worked diligently to rebuild the farm system and scouting department of the Reds, and that we appreciate his efforts.

I want someone in this job who is my choice.

The last 15-16 days has been so much fun dealing with the press. I'm going to hand the baseball operations ball over to you. You are in charge of handling all the communications with the press. I'm very proud of you.

I just asked him, as simple as that. He loves baseball, and we competed with 29 other teams to get him here. I think the President likes to throw a ball out every year. For him to be the first sitting president to do it for our franchise, the Cincinnati Reds, makes us all proud.

I'm a fan. I'm just excited. It's fun, it's upbeat. These kids don't think they can lose. That's the attitude you have to take.

I'm pleased with the outcome on all of the changes we've made. Most of the changes that will be made from now on in the future will be made by the man on my left and the man on my right.

I'm very grateful to Dan O'Brien for the work he did. But I wanted someone in this vitally important position that I selected.

I'll be here every day. I will be hands-on. That's a promise.

He blew us away. He had a great game plan. He was totally prepared.