Listen, I was the first black manager in baseball and there was incredible pressure. I don't blame anyone else. I was too tough . . . I lack patience. I probably got on guys a little too hard, with the wrong tone of voice.

You have to have a short memory as a closer.

Be anything you want to be, but don't be dull.

The fan is the one who suffers. He cheers a guy to a .350 season then watches that player sign with another team. When you destroy fan loyalties, you destroy everything.

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.

I always tried to do the best. I knew I couldn't always be the best, but I tried to be.