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

Dick Moss, my agent. Dick became my agent in 1979 when I signed my contract with the Houston Astros.

And to play as long as I did and to have a family you have to be very blessed and I was with my wife Ruth. Ruth, I appreciate the job you did, and my three fine children, Reid, Reese, and Wendy.

Pitching in the big leagues is a dream. Preparing to pitch in the big leagues is a nightmare!

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.

When I had dyslexia, they didn't diagnose it as that. It was frustrating and embarrassing. I could tell you a lot of horror stories about what you feel like on the inside.

I never found a place where I wanted to live more than Alvin (Texas).