The reason I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way, that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played.

I was taught coming up in the Phillies organization to be seen and not heard by people like Pete Rose, my hero growing up, and players like Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton and Manny Trillo.

I've been proud to be a lifelong Chicago Cub and still be with the Cubs. That's always been important to me and I think it's always been special

I had too much respect for the game to leave it behind or to make it my second or third sport in college

I got into pro ball at 18 and played until I was almost 39, non-stop.

If you're in the minor leagues, you want to get to the majors.

I struggled many times when maybe it didn't look like I was struggling, and I had to work hard every day.