Quotable quotes

Red Auerbach, president of the Boston Celtics, on how, if it were necessary, he would discipline forward Larry Bird: ``I wouldn't fine him. I could fine him any amount and he wouldn't say anything. If I really wanted to punish him, I'd tell him he can't play the next couple of games. That would be the worst thing you could do to Larry.'' Roy Eisenhardt, president of the Oakland A's: ``I don't see why a minor leaguer has to live on saltines while some major leaguers are making millions. It bothers me that I have to pay some of my players a hundred times what I'm paying others.''