--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We’d given Mac a nine point five, but…" description: "\"“We’d given Mac a nine point five, but only because Bird said we couldn’t give every guy a ten. I hadn’t scored Jason yet. He deserved a ten. No questi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/rachel-hawthorne-1967_bird-said_we-d-given-mac-a-nine-point-five-but-onl_2309061.jpg" --- # We’d given Mac a nine point five, but only because Bird… ![“We’d given Mac a nine point five, but only because Bird said we couldn’t give every guy a ten. I hadn’t scored Jason yet. He deserved a ten. No question. But officially scoring him as the hottest of the hot would make me uncomfortable living with him. After all, I wasn’t really supposed to be…” quote by Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/rachel-hawthorne-1967_bird-said_we-d-given-mac-a-nine-point-five-but-onl_2309061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/rachel-hawthorne-1967_bird-said_we-d-given-mac-a-nine-point-five-but-onl_2309061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/120/rachel-hawthorne-1967_bird-said_we-d-given-mac-a-nine-point-five-but-onl_2309061.jpg) > ““We’d given Mac a nine point five, but only because Bird said we couldn’t give every guy a ten. I hadn’t scored Jason yet. He deserved a ten. No question. But officially scoring him as the hottest of the hot would make me uncomfortable living with him. After all, I wasn’t really supposed to be noticing him. A six. I could easily live with a six. Still, I felt like I was betraying him when I wrote the score on my roster. “Shortstop is cute,” I said. I glanced at the lineup. Chase Parker. “I can’t tell at this distance,” Bird said. “I wish they had these guys’ pictures on the roster.” “They’ll have them in the program on Tuesday.” The team always sold programs for a buck at the games. Inside were the stats on each Rattler. There was also a roster of the visiting team, but they didn’t include their stats. I guess the general consensus was: Who cares? They’re not our guys. Ragland was pretty loyal to its team.”” [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator feels conflicted about rating a talented player lower to avoid discomfort, highlighting tension between honesty and social expectations. **In simple terms:** Balancing honesty with fear of discomfort can be hard. Key Takeaway Recognize and own your true assessments. Themes integrity sports team dynamics honesty social pressure Mood reflective conflicted Type ethical sports narrative When to use this quote - coaching decisions - player scouting - team communication - rating systems Key Concepts evaluation bias ethical dilemma performance metrics Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure fairness when personal feelings intervene? - What systems can reduce bias in evaluations? A Different Perspective Bias may stem from fear of rivalry or personal discomfort, not objective performance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bird Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird-said-447186/) [Loyal Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyal-team-1731217/) [Rattler Roster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rattler-roster-5477329/) [Score Roster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/score-roster-5477328/) [Tuesday Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tuesday-team-5477330/) ## Related quotes > [“The team always sold programs for a buck at the games. Inside were the stats on each Rattler. There was also a roster of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/the-team-always-sold-programs-for-a-buck-at-the-games-inside-were-the/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“You know what this means, don’t you?” Bird said. “That we’re ahead two to nothing?” “It means he’ll insist you sit in this exact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/you-know-what-this-means-don-t-you-bird-said-that-we-re-ahead-two-to/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Watch Brandon run across the field,” Bird said. He made a beeline for the pitcher’s mound, did a little leap over it, and ran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/watch-brandon-run-across-the-field-bird-said-he-made-a-beeline-for/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“How do you get a boyfriend?” I asked. “If I knew that, I’d have one,” Bird said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/how-do-you-get-a-boyfriend-i-asked-if-i-knew-that-i-d-have-one-bird/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Home run! My boyfriend had hit a home run! I jumped around, pointing at the number on my jersey, hugging Bird, hugging Tiffany, watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/home-run-my-boyfriend-had-hit-a-home-run-i-jumped-around-pointing-at/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I didn’t realize I was squeezing Tiffany’s and Bird’s hands until Bird said, “You know, bones break under pressure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-didn-t-realize-i-was-squeezing-tiffany-s-and-bird-s-hands-until/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Jason struck out the first, second, and third batters. “Do not go talk to him,” Bird said. “No problem.” “Don’t even look at him,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/jason-struck-out-the-first-second-and-third-batters-do-not-go-talk-to/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“For the briefest of seconds, it was like he looked back into the stands, like maybe he spotted me, shaking my rattle, giving him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/for-the-briefest-of-seconds-it-was-like-he-looked-back-into-the-2/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I blew it.” “How’d you do that?” she asked. I gave her a quick rundown of all my most memorable moments, including the mascara…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-blew-it-how-d-you-do-that-she-asked-i-gave-her-a-quick-rundown-of/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Jason was the next batter. He did his whole Velcro routine. Then he stepped up to the plate. The first ball went past. “Strike!”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/jason-was-the-next-batter-he-did-his-whole-velcro-routine-then-he/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [At some point, you're going to have to be willing to take a punch for your team. If your employees or your teammates will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/at-some-point-you-re-going-to-have-to-be-willing-to-take-a-punch-for/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [You've been out here looking for a guy like me. And I ain't never settled down, just loyal to my team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/you-ve-been-out-here-looking-for-a-guy-like-me-and-i-ain-t-never/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [I wasn't a huge pro fan growing up; I wasn't loyal to any one team. Don't really know the divisions, even really the conferences.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-tannehill/i-wasn-t-a-huge-pro-fan-growing-up-i-wasn-t-loyal-to-any-one-team-don/) [Ryan Tannehill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-tannehill/) > [If you're not loyal to your team, you can get by for a while, but eventually you will need to rely on their loyalty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-schafer/if-you-re-not-loyal-to-your-team-you-can-get-by-for-a-while-but/) [Tim Schafer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-schafer/) > [The length of stay that you play in Boston allows people to understand and appreciate you because you've been loyal to the team and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-havlicek/the-length-of-stay-that-you-play-in-boston-allows-people-to/) [John Havlicek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-havlicek/) ## More by Rachel Hawthorne > [“A dog wash?” Bird repeated the next morning. I’d called her to let her know I needed to talk. She was making her Scoopin’…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/a-dog-wash-bird-repeated-the-next-morning-i-d-called-her-to-let-her/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“You never talk to the pitcher when…” He shook his head. “You just never talk to the pitcher when--” “I just wanted to congratulate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/you-never-talk-to-the-pitcher-when-he-shook-his-head-you-just-never/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Hey, ya'll,can we go?" Leah asked. "The cute guys are gonna be taken by the time we get there." "No,they won't be," Sam said,"Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/hey-ya-ll-can-we-go-leah-asked-the-cute-guys-are-gonna-be-taken-by/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I haven’t had cotton candy in forever,” he said. “I’d forgotten how…sugary it is.” “It’s pure sugar.” “I wonder who invented it.” “I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-haven-t-had-cotton-candy-in-forever-he-said-i-d-forgotten-how/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Deception may give us what we want for the present, but it will always take it away in the end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/deception-may-give-us-what-we-want-for-the-present-but-it-will-always/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“You’ve got Mac. When we went to get drinks at the concert, all he talked about was how cool you were. And Jason? The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/you-ve-got-mac-when-we-went-to-get-drinks-at-the-concert-all-he/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Dani, I saw your roster that night at Ben and Jerry’s, when it fell out of your bag. I unfolded it, shouldn’t have, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/dani-i-saw-your-roster-that-night-at-ben-and-jerry-s-when-it-fell-out/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“ Crack! I covered my head, ducked down. Bird didn’t laugh. She likened me to a survivor of some traumatic event who is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/crack-i-covered-my-head-ducked-down-bird-didn-t-laugh-she-likened-me/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I'm trying to figure out how much I need to deposit into the Kate-have-a-good-time fund," he said. "It's pretty empty.You might have to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-m-trying-to-figure-out-how-much-i-need-to-deposit-into-the-kate/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I wasn’t usually one to toot my own horn, which could also explain the no-boyfriend-status of my life. If bright plumage was the key,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-wasn-t-usually-one-to-toot-my-own-horn-which-could-also-explain-the/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I need to figure out what it was I did that made me hit the home run.” “You connected the bat to the ball.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-need-to-figure-out-what-it-was-i-did-that-made-me-hit-the-home-run/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I found him in the kitchen, at the table in the bay window, already eating his cereal. “I was going to fix you breakfast,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-found-him-in-the-kitchen-at-the-table-in-the-bay-window-already/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Sides, i don't like the posed pics.They're not the real person.They're a reflection of what the person wants the world to think of her-not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/sides-i-don-t-like-the-posed-pics-they-re-not-the-real-person-they-re/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I can't believe you'd rather hold handle bars than a girl." He angled his head thoughtfully."I hadn't considered that." "Maybe you should." He hopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-can-t-believe-you-d-rather-hold-handle-bars-than-a-girl-he-angled/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“He finally cleared his throat. "Well, huh." "Yeah," I said. "What now?" "Well"—he cleared his throat again—"I guess you and I go. I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/he-finally-cleared-his-throat-well-huh-yeah-i-said-what-now-well-he/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) [Explore all 191 Rachel Hawthorne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) ## More Bird Said quotes > [“Here's what I think, Mr. Wind-Up Bird," said May Kasahara. "Everybody's born with some different thing at the core of their existence. And that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/here-s-what-i-think-mr-wind-up-bird-said-may-kasahara-everybody-s/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“In after-years he would tell of an incident that took place at one of their encampments: "We were with the Prophet when a Companion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-lings/in-after-years-he-would-tell-of-an-incident-that-took-place-at-one-of/) [Martin Lings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-lings/) > [“Come on, T-Bird," he said, getting to his feet and reaching for her hand. He hoisted her up onto her feet whether she wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aurelia-b-rowl/come-on-t-bird-he-said-getting-to-his-feet-and-reaching-for-her-hand/) [Aurelia B Rowl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aurelia-b-rowl/) > [Take a good rest, small bird," he said. "Then go in and take your chance like any man or bird or fish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/take-a-good-rest-small-bird-he-said-then-go-in-and-take-your-chance/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [“I blew it.” “How’d you do that?” she asked. I gave her a quick rundown of all my most memorable moments, including the mascara…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-blew-it-how-d-you-do-that-she-asked-i-gave-her-a-quick-rundown-of/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“I didn’t realize I was squeezing Tiffany’s and Bird’s hands until Bird said, “You know, bones break under pressure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-didn-t-realize-i-was-squeezing-tiffany-s-and-bird-s-hands-until/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Home run! My boyfriend had hit a home run! I jumped around, pointing at the number on my jersey, hugging Bird, hugging Tiffany, watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/home-run-my-boyfriend-had-hit-a-home-run-i-jumped-around-pointing-at/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [You cannot save every fallen bird," said Woolsey. "One will do," said Magnus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-cannot-save-every-fallen-bird-said-woolsey-one-will-do-said-magnus/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“What is said in daytime is overheard by the bird, and what is said in nighttime is overheard by the rat.’30”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heo-gyun/what-is-said-in-daytime-is-overheard-by-the-bird-and-what-is-said-in/) [Heo Gyun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heo-gyun/) > [“King,” croaked the raven. The bird flapped across the solar to land on Mormont’s shoulder. “King,” it said again, strutting back and forth. “He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/king-croaked-the-raven-the-bird-flapped-across-the-solar-to-land-on/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Watch Brandon run across the field,” Bird said. He made a beeline for the pitcher’s mound, did a little leap over it, and ran…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/watch-brandon-run-across-the-field-bird-said-he-made-a-beeline-for/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Jason was the next batter. He did his whole Velcro routine. Then he stepped up to the plate. The first ball went past. “Strike!”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/jason-was-the-next-batter-he-did-his-whole-velcro-routine-then-he/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“How do you get a boyfriend?” I asked. “If I knew that, I’d have one,” Bird said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/how-do-you-get-a-boyfriend-i-asked-if-i-knew-that-i-d-have-one-bird/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“Jason struck out the first, second, and third batters. “Do not go talk to him,” Bird said. “No problem.” “Don’t even look at him,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/jason-struck-out-the-first-second-and-third-batters-do-not-go-talk-to/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [“For the briefest of seconds, it was like he looked back into the stands, like maybe he spotted me, shaking my rattle, giving him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/for-the-briefest-of-seconds-it-was-like-he-looked-back-into-the-2/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) [Browse all 25 Bird Said quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird-said-447186/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We’d given Mac a nine point five, but only because Bird said we couldn’t give every guy a ten. I hadn’t scored Jason yet. He deserved a ten. No question. But officially scoring him as the hottest of the hot would make me uncomfortable living with him. After all, I wasn’t really supposed to be noticing him. A six. I could easily live with a six. Still, I felt like I was betraying him when I wrote the score on my roster. “Shortstop is cute,” I said. I glanced at the lineup. Chase Parker. “I can’t tell at this distance,” Bird said. “I wish they had these guys’ pictures on the roster.” “They’ll have them in the program on Tuesday.” The team always sold programs for a buck at the games. Inside were the stats on each Rattler. There was also a roster of the visiting team, but they didn’t include their stats. I guess the general consensus was: Who cares? They’re not our guys. 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