When I played, I never needed the spotlight, nor did I want it. I simply wanted to play baseball and be respected by my teammates and the opposing players.

I'm certainly thankful for what the Cubs did for me. I respect their organization. It's the same way with the Atlanta Braves, an awfully fine organization. I respect everybody who's down there, and that's still where I live today. But the Cardinals represent the best years of my career.

The three most important pitches I threw in my life were all fastballs.

I could throw pretty hard. I might strike out 16 guys, but I might walk 10. I mean, I was wild.

My first year in the big leagues, I made $17,000. It was easy to go out and get another $17,000 relief pitcher. I never worried about innings or pitches. I just pitched.

I'm basically a country person.

Goose Gossage is a friend of mine, and he's definitely a Hall of Fame pitcher in my mind.