DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers president Dave Dombrowski has apologized for comments he made at a private luncheon that later were broadcast by a sports radio station.

Dombrowski apologized Monday on radio station WXYT-AM "to any player that may have been hurt by the comments'' he made Friday to suite holders and corporate sponsors, Tigers spokesman Jim Anderson said.

Callers who said they attended the luncheon began discussing the statements on sports talk shows through the weekend.

"I have never had anything like this happen in my career,'' Dombrowski told The Detroit News. "I should have not made this mistake, but when you're talking to a group like that, you are trying to entertain, you've been asked to do that, and all of a sudden I crossed the line in my opinion.

"The whole talk -- I wish I wouldn't have said it,'' Dombrowski told the Detroit Free Press.

WDFN-AM received a recording of part of Dombrowski's speech and broadcast it Monday. In it, Dombrowski tallied the salaries of several Tigers, saying no team would accept them in a trade.

"I don't mean to disparage any of these guys, but put yourself in my shoes and say, `I want to change some of the faces,''' Dombrowski said.

"I love Dean Palmer. He's a great guy. If you can trade him tomorrow, give me a call. Save me eight-and-a-half million dollars in our budget next year. Damion Easley ... he's still not hitting .200 -- and there's six-and-a-half million for next year. We're up to 15 (million).''

Dombrowski also named Matt Anderson, who will make $3.4 million next year, Danny Patterson, who will make $2.7 million, Bobby Higginson, who's set to earn $11.85 million for 2003, Steve Sparks, who will earn $5.5 million, and Craig Paquette.

"If you can trade him, call me tomorrow,'' Dombrowski said. "He's making $2.75 million next year. We're at 40, 41 (million dollars).

"I don't mean to disparage any of them because they're all people who big-league ball players, they've earned whatever they've received, but it just tells you, it's not that easy just to snap your fingers and make some deals.''

Jim Anderson told The Associated Press on Monday that Dombrowski would have no further comment about his speech.

None of the players mentioned could be reached for comment Monday night, but Easley told The Oakland Press of Pontiac on Saturday that Dombrowski shouldn't have bad-mouthed the club to the luncheon crowd of about 400 suite occupants, season-ticket holders and corporate sponsors.

"I find that a little annoying that he wants Bobby Higginson and anybody else in this locker room to stay positive and keep any dirt, or whatever you want to call it, among the organization, and then he's able to go out there and just say what he feels,'' Easley told the Pontiac newspaper before the Tigers' 14-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins, part of a six-game losing streak that leaves Detroit at 35-62 for the season.

Matt Anderson said he had no problems with Dombrowski's criticisms.

"It's great,'' Anderson said. "He's telling the truth.''

Added Easley: "We're essentially all here as a piece of meat. ... When you produce, you're attractive. When you don't, you're not. There's no way to sugarcoat it.''

The Tigers, who fired manager Phil Garner and general manager Randy Smith after an 0-6 start and lost their first 11 games this season, haven't had a winning season since 1993.