The quotes that told the story in Boston sports
We’ve come to the end of another wild year in Boston sports, punctuated by thrilling wins, crushing defeats, and remarkable characters.
One way to look back on the year is to remember the most telling quotes, presented in chronological order:
“I’d never want to go through a season where each game someone’s giving you a chair, or a watch, and then they’re going to try and beat your brains out 10 minutes later. It’s not my makeup. Now, if someone wants to send Bobbie and I to Hawaii, we’ll entertain that thought.”
— Boston College men’s hockey coach Jerry York, April 13, announcing his retirement and explaining why he didn’t want a farewell tour. (On Dec. 9, BC announced it was in fact sending York and his wife to Hawaii.)
“I know I have done a great thing.”
— Peres Jepchirchir, women’s winner of the Boston Marathon, April 19 “Only God knows what’s going on.”
— Red Sox reliever Hansel Robles, following a three-game sweep at the hands of the White Sox, May 7
“It’s tough. You don’t want to feel like this again, but you want to get back here. It’s going to fuel us.”
— Jayson Tatum, after the Celtics lost to the Warriors in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, June 17
“I think ‘exceeding expectations’ is a great way to describe it. When we were down on the fairway at the trophy presentation, I think all of us were sort of pinching ourselves.”
— Lyman Bullard, president of The Country Club, at the conclusion of the US Open, June 20
“Like cold water rushing through your veins when something like that happens . . . It sucks . . . Here we go again.”
— Chris Sale, who sustained rib, pinkie, and wrist injuries this year, July 17
“I understand why people could look at what we did and scratch their heads.”
— Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, after the trade deadline, Aug. 8
“I always thought I’d die on the field, but not in the [expletive] bullpen.”
— Former Red Sox lefty Bill Lee, after he had a cardiac episode while warming up for the semi-pro Savannah Bananas, Sept. 20
“I personally feel that this is well warranted and appropriate, backed by substantial research and evidence and facts, and so I’m standing by the decision, and Ime has accepted it.”
— Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, explaining the decision to suspend coach Ime Udoka, Sept. 23
“This is a special, special day, and I will never forget it. Thank you, Red Sox, NESN, and all the gang. Have a good one. I will.”
— Dennis Eckersley, tearfully signing off on his final NESN game, Oct. 5
“I had my concerns. I shared my opinion. In a way, I think I was not necessarily agreeing with it. To be honest with you, I think the culture that we’ve built here goes against that type of behavior.”
— Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron on the signing of Mitchell Miller, Nov. 5. Miller was released days later.
It’s hard to win one game. But 17 games and 15 wins, that’s crazy. Nobody expected that.”
— David Krejci, after the Bruins improved to 15-2-0, including 10-0-0 at home, Nov. 18
“I just kind of let my emotions get to me. We were kind of playing from behind, and what I said was about throwing it deeper in the short game . . . I felt like we needed chunk plays, and I shouted that out to kind of get everyone going. That’s emotional. That’s football. I’m passionate about this game.”
— Mac Jones, explaining why he was yelling at someone on the sideline during a loss to the Bills, Dec. 2
“Yeah, it’s over. As I said, I really enjoyed my time here. It time to focus on
. . . well, I have been focused on Vegas. But this game tonight . . . it’s just not an ordinary game.”
— Former Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy, upon his return to Boston with the Golden Knights, Dec. 5
“The Sox without the ‘X’ are just soso.”
— Agent Scott Boras, following Xander Bogaerts’s decision to sign with the Padres, Dec. 8
“I expect fans will be hurt. I fully expect that, and I also expect that we’re going to put this together and deliver them winning baseball. It’s going to look a little different than it would have with Xander. But it’s going to happen and it’s on us to show them. That’s our job.”
— Chaim Bloom, after Bogaerts signed with the Padres, Dec. 9
“Probably the most insane ending I’ve ever been a part of.”
— Former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, after his Raiders beat the Patriots on an errant lateral, Dec. 18