Baseball quotes: They said it

“I think the umpire at home plate should not call balls and strikes. I think they should have a force field over home plate and if the pitcher throws and the ball touches the force field a little bell goes off and it’s a strike.”

Mike Schmidt, Hall of Fame slugger, when asked during a radio interview what he would change about baseball.

“And they should let us have a shot to kick them with our metal spikes on, because it’s stupid.”

Adam Jones, Baltimore outfielder, after saying he wished police had tased two people who ran on the field at Yankee Stadium while the Orioles were on defense.

“We’re going to give Jim a break.”

Bob Melvin, Oakland manager, announcing that he was demoting Jim Johnson from the closer’s role. Johnson had 50 saves for the Baltimore Orioles last season, but gave up nine hits, six walks and seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings spanning his first five appearances with the Athletics.