Davey Johnson vs. Coach K

(John McDonnell - TWP)

U.S. baseball skipper Davey Johnson and U.S. basketball coach Coach K both had Olympic press conferences today. A sampling of their answers, unfairly chosen to make one guy look way more entertaining than the other.

Coach K, on improving: "Over the last two years we've seen our program develop to whether it be LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, whoever the guys are on the team, they feel they're part of a team, they're part of a movement and they're very very proud to represent the United States. I think in some respects over the years we've been a little arrogant, in that we've thought it's our game. It's not our game. It's the world's game."

Davey Johnson, on a recent game against Cuba: "We beat their ass. Believe me, they didn't want to lose to us."

Coach K, on team goals: "We're a team right now. We're not a selection of all stars. Now we have to build on it. This is the final step for this four-year period. Our goal was to win the gold medal, but it was also to do it the right way, and to develop a program that other players will want to be a part of for the next Olympics, and I really think that's been successful. Now we've got to close the deal with winning that gold medal."

Davey Johnson, on clinching an Olympic berth: "I'll tell you, when we clinched that thing, we stopped and got some [beers] and a jug of rum and guys were partying it up and singing and chanting and wanted me to stand up and take a sip of rum. It was kind of like a champagne party. Yeah, I took a sip. They were going 'SKIPPER, SKIPPER,' and you've each got to take a sip. Then when it got down to 'BUSSEY, BUSSEY,' they wanted the bus driver to take a sip. It was like, 'no no no no.' It was pretty fun. ...That was quite a crew I had back then. I've taken a lot of bus rides, but not one like that: in Cuba, drinking some beer, celebrating going to Beijing. It was quite impressive."

Coach K, on the future: "I don't think we should be shocked at how good our opponents are. We respect the international opponents and the international game....I've loved coaching against the international teams because you learn. There are great players, great teams, great coaches, and we used that as an experience to get better."

Davey Johnson, on the future: My next step would be to go to the beach and wear that [gold medal] around my neck. No, I don't look for any next step. That to me would be probably one of the last steps. I really enjoy my wife working and me not working since 2000....This puts enough water under my boat. I've had my days in the sun."

By Dan Steinberg | April 16, 2008; 9:01 AM ET | Category: Olympics
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Has Coach Shushefsky ever said anything entertaining in his life?

Posted by: Lindemann | April 16, 2008 9:08 AM

What would Davey Johnson do if Ryan Zimmerman said that he was comfortable with his hitting 1 for 17 with runners on base?

Posted by: PowerBoater69 | April 16, 2008 9:18 AM

[gold medal] +1

Posted by: kwamesnani | April 16, 2008 9:50 AM

You just had to put that picture of Davey Johnson with the O's hat on didn't you? Those were the days...

Posted by: Matt C | April 16, 2008 9:53 AM

God I miss Davey. I was like 10 and 11 years old for those teams. That was what cemented my lifelong Orioles fandom, and now I'm stuck with them.

Posted by: Grant | April 16, 2008 4:56 PM

Which guy would you rather play for? Yeah, me too. "Bussey! Bussey!"

Posted by: Incredulous | April 17, 2008 10:51 AM

And, yet again, Orioles fans weep. Ah, what might've been.

Posted by: Arlington Pimp | April 17, 2008 1:57 PM

How bout I'd love to play for both of them? Love the O's and the Blue Devils so it makes sense. That Davey story on the bus reminds me of a similar story. It was an amazing SI story about the Mets in the 80's just destroying a charter plane during the playoffs in a debaucherous flight. And when the Mets brass tried to stick the players with the bill Davey went ballistic because he thought the players should get to do whatever the hell they wanted since they were a winning team and had made the playoffs. Talk about a player's coach!

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Posted by: Andrew | April 19, 2008 6:55 PM

Davey Johnson vs. Coach K

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