Casey didn't easily forgive a guy who got doubled up on a hit-and-run play. He didn't see any reason why the runner couldn't take a quick glance back toward the plate to make sure the ball was hit safely.

He can run, steal bases, throw, hit for average, and hit with power like I've never seen. Just don't put him at shortstop.

During my 18 years I came to bat almost 10,000 times. I struck out about 1,700 times and walked maybe 1,800 times. You figure a ballplayer will average about 500 at-bats a season. That means I played 7 years without ever hitting the ball.

I leaned on him for support when I got out of the cab, and he just crumpled to the ground. That's how we found out.

To play 18 years in Yankee Stadium is the best thing that could ever happen to a ballplayer.

All the ballparks and the big crowds have a certain mystique. You feel attached, permanently wedded to the sounds that ring out, to the fans chanting your name, even when there are only four or five thousand in the stands on a Wednesday afternoon.

Those people don't know how tough that really was.