Ortiz vs. Take-a-Seater

Ortiz: "I'm right there, but I'm not going to win it. They give it to Alex [Rodriguez] one year, even though his team was in last place, so now they can't play that BS anymore, just because your team didn't make it. They gave it to Alex that year because of his numbers. But they always have a reason to vote for whatever, so that's why I don't worry about it...But they'll vote for a position player, use that as an excuse. They're talking about Jeter a lot, right? He's done a great job, he's having a great season, but Jeter is not a 40-homer hitter or an RBI guy. It doesn't matter how much you've done for your ball club, the bottom line is, the guy who hits 40 home runs and knocks in 100, that's the guy you know helped your team win games."

Jeter (whom I like to call Take-a-Seater because I enjoy when he strikes out): "I'm not thinking about winning an MVP, I'm thinking about winning the division. Our focus here isn't on individual awards. We've still got something to play for."

And this next exchange? Priceless.

(Taken from Newsday.com) "Don't get me wrong - he's a great player, having a great season, but he's got a lot of guys in that lineup. Top to bottom, you've got a guy who can hurt you. Come hit in this lineup, see how good you can be," Ortiz said.

That last line was a surprising shot at Ortiz's teammates, which raised a few eyebrows in the Yankees' clubhouse. Jeter essentially laughed at the question, saying, "I don't have to hit in his lineup."

Johnny Damon, Ortiz's former Boston teammate and still a close friend, was perplexed, saying, "That doesn't sound like him."

What to make of all that? Nothing. It's just funny to report on. Because really, who cares what Johnny Damon says?