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

It seemed like I always did some great hitting in Brooklyn. The field there was close to the stands. Every time I started walking to the plate, I could hear the fans say, 'Here comes that man again. Here comes that man.'

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.

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.

Get eight hours of sleep regularly. Keep your weight down, run a mile a day.

I love to play this game of baseball. I love putting on the uniform.

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