NedColletti

We had decided to not resign three very good players - Skip Shumaker, Nick Punto and Jerry Hairston, Jr. I felt we needed a younger player who could play multiple positions. JT was a good offensive player at that point. He was also younger. He was from LA so he knew how special the Dodgers are. We thought he was going to be an average fielder and a good hitter. He has turned out to be a tremendous hitter, defender and leader. He worked during the off-seasons to go from a solid utility player, to a star on a great team. Hard work paid off for him. Very proud of him.

Acquiring Manny Ramirez on July 31, 2008 from Boston. Some cool detail in the book.

Well, there is still another game to win - typically the last one is the hardest to win. If that would come to pass, I don't know that I have the words to explain what it really means to me. Winning is difficult; winning a pennant is so very difficult. It would be one of the grandest highlights of my life and professional career. And it would put the franchise in position, for the all-time professional highlight, a World Series Championship.

The Dodgers are very talented to start with; but that doesn't make it a championship calibre team. They are a close knit group and they play smart and pay attention to every detail of the game. Offensively, they make pitchers throw strikes - they don't chase out of the zone. From the mound, they don't walk many hitters and their pitching plans are sound. They are also an unselfish group. Dave Roberts and the front office have done a tremendous job of building, sustaining and fortifying a winning culture. That's what makes them special IMO.

I thought he had a chance to be the ace of a staff or at least a number 2 starter. I don't think anyone could project an 18-year-old to be a Hall of Famer. The number of twists and turns a career can take are many. The growth I have seen in him from June 2006, has been enormous - both on and off the field. He is a once-in-a-generation pitcher and an even better person.