"I bought some new spikes and joined the team. I was planning on meeting Mr. Mack and being assigned to the minors, but he said, 'You're my left-handed outfielder from California.' I said, 'No, sir, I'm your new right-handed shortstop.' But he said, 'You're playing outfield today.' The first ball that was hit to me was a routine fly that I lost because I was fooling around with the new flip-down glasses they had given me, and when I picked up the ball I was so nervous I threw it into the stands. I thought that would be my last day ever in the majors, but when I got back to the dugout, Mr. Mack said, 'Don't worry, Sam; it shows you have a good arm.'" - Sam Chapman in the San Francisco Chronicle (Dwight Chapin, 12/30/2006)