He's certainly won more state championships than anyone else, and his record as Gainesville's baseball coach will probably never be equaled.

If over time the World Baseball Classic works the way we hope it will, I think the next time there is a discussion it will be the IOC asking us to come back.

The organization and baseball were destroyed.

That's why he was here, to surrender himself to longing, to listen to his host recite the anecdotal texts, all the passed-down stories of bonehead plays and swirling brawls, the pitching duels that carried into twilight, stories that Marvin had been collecting for half a century--the deep eros of memory that separates baseball from other sports.

My job is basically to coach the people who are there. Everyone in baseball knows, though, that Vazquez is a high-quality pitcher.

We had our best spring ever. The World Baseball Classic brings a new dimension. I think it's terrific.