They Said It

? Fred Patek, 5'4" Kansas City shortstop, asked how it feels to be the smallest player in the major leagues: "It feels a helluva lot better than being the smallest player in the minor leagues."

? Braulio Baeza, whose mount finished nine lengths behind the phenomenal filly Ruffian, asked what he thought of her: "I don't think. I just chase. I could cut through the infield and she still beat me."

? Richie Zisk, Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder, after hitting two home runs off Houston's Claude Osteen: "He made two mistakes. The first was a slider that didn't slide. The second was a curve that didn't curve."

? Derek Sanderson, on a possible conflict between his style and that of his new coach, the New York Rangers' Emile Francis: "The Cat is coming around a bit. He wore a striped shirt to one game last season, and I told him if he grows a mustache I'll buy him some platform shoes."