I don't think baseball owes colored people anything. I don't think colored people owe baseball anything, either.

I would rather beat the Yankees regularly than pitch a no hit game.

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

When I pick up the ball and it feels nice and light and small I know I'm going to have a good day. But if I picked it up and it's big and heavy, I know I'm liable to get into a little trouble.

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'm no hero. Heroes don't come back. Survivors return home. Heroes never come home. If anyone thinks I'm a hero, I'm not.

My father loved baseball and he cultivated my talent. I don't think he ever had any doubt in his mind that I would play professional baseball someday.