I wanted to be like Nolan Ryan. I didn't want to be like Pete Gray...And I don't want kids to be like me because I have one hand. I want kids to be like Jim Abbott because he's a baseball pitcher at Michigan and he won the Big Ten Championship game, and not because I can field a bunt and throw to first.

One of the beautiful things about baseball is the history.

I knew how far a little boy or girl could run with 50 words of reassurance.

I could always throw the ball pretty well and I worked pretty hard at learning how to play the game. But I didn't consider it work as a kid, since I just loved playing baseball.

I still get a lot of letters from kids and parents who face different challenges and disabilities. I share some of the lessons that I learned through sports and baseball, which makes me feel good. It's incredible to have an impact that way.

Never allow the circumstances of your life to become an excuse. People will allow you to do it. But I believe we have a personal obligation to make the most of the abilities we have.

Slowing it all down and analyzing our mental approach is a surprisingly effective way of becoming a better player.