I spent 34 months on the battleship Alabama, South Dakota-class. I was a gun captain. First we went to Russia for about 11 months with the British convoys. Then we were up in Norway and Scandinavia.

Ted Williams was the greatest hitter I ever saw, but DiMaggio was the greatest all around player.

There was great leadership in this country at the time of World War II. There was also unrelenting resolve at home, in America's factories and on the farms, in the cities and the country.

I went on inactive duty in August 1945, and since I had stayed in such good shape and had played ball on military teams, I was ready to start for the Indians just two days later, against the Tigers.

I try to be a good human being and keep up with what's going on in the world by reading and staying in touch with the current events.

I did what any American could and should do: serve his country in its time of need.

Trying to sneak a fastball by Ted Williams was like trying to sneak a sunbeam by a rooster in the morning.