Posted on: Sunday, May 20, 2001

Les Murakami's farewell speech

• Murakami says thanks, farewell after 31 years
• Ferd Lewis: Les' longevity truly remarkable

"On behalf of my family and myself, I want to thank, first of all, my staff, who did a great job under trying circumstances.

"I also want to say thank you to Richard Sato and Kini Popo (the booster club), to Aunty Rose for feeding my boys, to my friends who have stuck by me during good and bad years. And thanks to the fans for 30-plus years of support.

"I am proud of the accomplishments of my ball players on the playing field, but also proud of their accomplishments in the classroom and in the community.

"Baseball has been very good to me, and it will again be a hobby. When I am well, I will spend some time working with the young boys and girls, and hopefully, I can make them better ball players."