Kevin Towers Great Quotations

It just happened that we had more of a need in center field. We all knew 'X' can play. Certainly, this would have been the year that would have provided a great opportunity to play one of the corner positions. But in this outfield here, we thought it was more important to go get a guy who can play center field.

No, and I don't plan to, ... Everybody talks about how great it is to hear Hell's Bells and his entrance into the game, but as soon as he is about to toe that rubber, I'm gone.

We have added some great character guys, something we really lacked. We had some shared leadership last year at times from (Dave) Roberts, (Mark) Loretta and others, but it was something we really lacked. I have heard nothing but good things about Mike Cameron; he's a good guy to have in the locker room.

It's nice to have two guys who are homegrown middle infielders who can be together for a long time. It's nice to be able to draft and develop your own. It would be great if someday they could be Trammell and Whitaker.

He has been the foundation of our bullpen since 1993. And it's great to know that he'll continue to close out games and pursue major-league records in a Padres uniform.

I really think the Devil Rays rushed him to the big leagues, and that set him back. He's a power pitcher with a great change-up. ... He has a world of potential, but we need to be patient with him. If we do this right, he could be a really good pitcher for us.

The smell of champagne in a clubhouse is a great thing, ... regardless of how you get there.

He adds depth to our pitching staff, and is now returning to a division where he has enjoyed great success.