Whether you're trying to excel in athletics or in any other field, always practice. Look, listen, learn - and practice, practice, practice. There is no substitute for work, no shortcut to the top.

The way we're going... if I called up another pitcher, he'd just hang up the phone on me.

I just didn't have anything to say, so I said nothing.

But I'm not going to walk Barry Bonds, like some teams do, in the first inning with nobody on.

I haven't seen a player in this game, as long as I've been in it, that can't be pitched to... Barry is an outstanding ballplayer. I respect him an awful lot. I also have confidence in my pitchers that they can pitch to Barry Bonds and get him out.

I know a lot of people on the field - players, coaches, managers - are glad that I'm gone.

At least when it's in French, I won't know what the heck they're saying.