is baseball. And one of the things I enjoy most is listening to baseball playes talk. They have a language all their own, as the year in quotes shows. Here are a few examples with local flavor:

"If I'm going to get chased around the shower, it's going to be by my wife."
--Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, on how he won't shower in the clubhouse with Johan Santana and Carlos Silva around (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) [we need the backstory here people! I smell a Brokeback Mountain scoop! --kb]

"Yes, he offended everyone in the Bay Area."
--Giants manager Felipe Alou, when reminded that A.J. Pierzynski is a more offensive catcher than the defensive-minded Mike Matheny (Sacramento Bee)

"Everybody knows I'm an everyday player. I know I'm not a bench player."
--Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman, who was hitting .187/.228/.277 at the time (Washington Times)

"I would appreciate it if you identify us as Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles By The Sea Near Marina del Rey."
--Frank Cruz, Loyola Marymount University baseball coach, commenting on the Anaheim Angel's name change (L.A. Daily Breeze)

"Strikes."
--Dodgers pitching coach Jim Colburn, when asked what pitches Kaz Ishii has the most trouble throwing (Bergen Record)

OK, those last two aren't local, but they got the biggest laughs from me. And if you aren't a Baseball Prospectus regular reader and subscriber, well, you should be.