I came back [to Beijing ] because that's the only time I had an excuse to come back, or otherwise I would never have a reason to come back.

Excuses are the crutches of the uncommitted.

It was just an excuse. I guess it has something to do with the legislative session beginning.

Not to excuse it, but school officials need to understand that they're not parents. School officials can't reach into parents' homes and tell them how to raise their kids.

To be honest, ... there is no excuse for stupidity, for not double-checking the rules.

Right now we have a lot of inexperience at the plate. We have had a lot of injuries, and we aren't going to start using that as an excuse. People aren't hitting in positions that they are used to. We just need to be patient at the plate.

And now, excuse me while I interrupt myself.

That, perhaps, is an explanation, but it's not an excuse?and it's not a license to lie.

There's no excuse for what happened. As a team, our focus just wasn't there.

Many times, all it takes is a glance or a gentle 'Excuse me,' and you turn back and watch the movie.