You know raising a family in the lifestyle of a professional athlete can be very difficult.

I realize now what a great job my wife Michelle did, not only in raising our children, Melissa, Amy, Dustin, and Jenna, but in taking care of me.

And George Brett. I think most people know that George and I have become pretty good friends over the years.

But what I'd really like to tell you is I never dreamed of being in the Hall of Fame. Standing here with all these great players was beyond any of my dreams.

You know raising a family in the lifestyle of a professional athlete can be very difficult.

I was also lucky to play for an owner, Bud Selig, who truly cared about his players. He'd call me into his office once in a while when he knew things weren't going so well. And it's funny. Every time I left there I always felt like something good was about to happen.

I never faced a pitcher with better stuff than Nolan Ryan.