10 Quotes by Tim Raines

Frank could hit with one leg and one arm, that's how talented he is as a hitter. I've played with a lot of great players and I've played against a lot and he's the best I ever saw. You don't come across special players like that often. You're fortunate if you do.

Whatever happened to the day when there was respect for a guy with 26 years in the big leagues?

When I played, teams didn't have as many (pitchers) who slide stepped (to home plate) as they do today,

We still have a lot of hard work to do. We'll go home and get ready for whatever the National League sends us.

And they're speeding up more to home plate to give the catcher an opportunity. It's almost impossible if you don't get a good jump. If you have a catcher who can throw the ball well, it's almost impossible to steal.

Now maybe they'll talk about us more than the Cubs,

A lot of times they may get frustrated at the team not being successful. It's different than on the North Side, where regardless of how well a team is doing they'll pack that stadium.

It's always a great feeling. We've been close a couple of times, and in 1994 were robbed by the strike. But you never give up.

It's important to forget about last year. This is a whole new season. Last year, no one gave us a chance. This year, we are expected to win.