I’m pretty excited. This is a big, big one. It ranks with when we signed Reggie (Jackson)."
-- Yankees owner George Steinbrenner

“I want to make it abundantly clear to all clubs that I will not allow cash transfers of this magnitude to become the norm. However, given the unique circumstances, including the size, length and complexity of Mr. Rodriguez’s contract and the quality of the talent moving in both directions, I have decided to approve the transaction.”
-- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig

“I don’t think he ever thought about playing another position until the concept came up.”
-- Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras

“This deal is a win-win-win situation for the Rangers, the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez. This trade is about flexibility."
--  Texas Rangers general manager John Hart

“The disparity is not healthy for the sport. But everyone runs their team the way they see fit, and they did it by the rules.”
-- Arizona Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo

“I was just as surprised as the Yankee fans and the Boston Red Sox fans when I opened up my paper today. It, obviously, is a big deal. ... A-Rod’s a great player and the Yanks are going to be a heck of a team with him in the infield.”
-- President Bush, Rangers’ former owner

“You go with the man that brought you to the dance. You’re going to stick with him. You don’t mess with success. ... There is no issue there — who’s the starting quarterback? We have arguably the best left side of the infield in the history of baseball.”
-- Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman on keeping Derek Jeter at shortstop

“It’s great for the city. He’s returning home. This could be another variation of Maris-Mantle, Jackson-Munson, Gehrig-Ruth.”
-- Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani

“(The trade) is a little frustrating from the standpoint of us having had the opportunity to get (Rodriguez).”
-- Derek Lowe, Boston Red Sox pitcher

“Alex, you may have got away this time,” he said. “But we will get you (when the new season starts) this summer.”
-- Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino

“This is a fabulous move for the Yankees. It is good for baseball and good for Rodriguez. He needs to compete against history, against the lineage of the (game’s greatest players).”
-- Former Yankee star Reggie Jackson

"You know, George Steinbrenner is the center of evil in the universe. There's no question about that. ... Eventually, they might be able to just buy everybody. Why not?"
-- Actor and Red Sox fan Ben Affleck

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