And when I went to Houston, they had a conditioning coach by the name of Gene Coleman. And that was the first time I had gone to an organization that had a program with a weight room and designed specifically for pitchers.

It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy.

What man in his 40s would not like to look in the mirror and find Nolan Ryan?

My ability to throw a baseball was a gift. It was a God-given gift. And I am truly appreciative of that gift.

Put the right pitching mechanics together with good health, and there's nothing surprising about lasting a long time.

It took me a while to figure that out and to realize what a gift that I had been given. And when I finally did, I dedicated myself to be the best pitcher I possibly could be, for as long as I possibly could be.

I grew up with the thought that I wanted to treat people the way I'd like to be treated, and I think if you do that, it's pretty hard to go wrong.