He (Roberto Clemente) is a hero to me.

When you're in the middle of a pennant race, you can't go up there thinking about home runs.

Right now what's in my mind is going up there and being disciplined. I was swinging at so many pitches out of the strike zone, and when you do that, you're not going to get a chance to hit strikes. It makes it easier for the pitcher every time I do that.

Don't compare me to Babe Ruth. God gave me the opportunity and the ability to be here at the right time, at the right moment, just like he gave Babe Ruth when he was playing. I just hope I can keep doing what I've been doing - keep taking care of business.

They can say whatever they want to say, but it is going to be hard, my friend, to duplicate me.

To tell the truth, I never think about a homer. I'm just thinking of the situation and what I've got to do when I go to the plate.

I've always swung the same way. The difference is when I swing and miss, people say, 'He's swinging for the fences.' But when I swing and make contact people say, 'That's a nice swing.' But there's no difference, it's the same swing.