I could’ve played basketball, but my mind was on baseball. I didn’t know what I was in for. In high school it was a matter of talent. No one told you what to do.
If you’re feeling pressure, then you shouldn’t be here.
You can’t get more appreciation than that, to be elected by the fans. That’s the ultimate, really.
I don’t listen to what people say about me and I don’t read what they write about me. People can compare me to anyone they want to, but I’m not going to worry about it.
I don’t even take aspirin.
People spend time worrying about things they think they have to have and lose perception of what they do have. You can have all the money and material things you want. If you aren’t here to enjoy them, what good do they do?
Circulating through the children’s ward and seeing terminally ill kids, heads shaved, smiling and having a ball despite the tubes and needles sticking into them, I thought: What do I have to worry about? If God takes me, at least I’ve lived for 35 years.
You can’t shelter it. You can’t hide it. You have to let people know what you’re going through, what you’re feeling, what you think you have that’s a problem.
I don’t think any player lives up to his potential, because people out there put you so high on a pedestal, you’ll never be as good as they expect.
The last two times I went to spring training, I had to win a job, and if I didn’t get off to a blazing start, I’m on the bench. Now, I’ve proven myself, so it’s not essential that I get off to a real good start.
I tell you, revenge plays a big part in momentum down here.
I love the game, it’s the greatest game on earth, that’s why I can’t understand all of this talk about trying to make the game better. People talk about the high strike zone and changing this and that. Why? To speed up the game? That’s the beauty of baseball. There is no time element.
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