I started to crouch because that way I could guard the plate better, and I always wanted to hit .300 in the big leagues.

I think I had the smallest handle around. When I got my bats, I even trimmed them down. I used to scrape them. Some years later when I started getting older, I used to start with a 33 and in the summer it got down to 31 and then probably in September got down to 30.

I never realized that batting a little ball around could cause so much commotion. I now know how (Charles) Lindbergh must have felt when he returned from St. Louis.

The one unbreakable rule about hitting is this: if a batter hits well with his own particular stance and swing, think twice - or more - before suggesting a change.

What I try to do is never to hurt anybody else and figure if I don't, then I'm not likely to get hurt myself.

Always wanted to be a Major League player. Loved baseball. Followed it. Loved to play. Plus, I could always hit.

Hitting is like swimming. Once you learn the stroke, you never forget it.