My major league debut came at old Busch Stadium on Grand Avenue in St. Louis, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first pitch I threw was to third baseman Bob Bailey. It was a fastball, low and away. He ripped it for a home run down the left field line. I said, 'Damn, that was a pretty good pitch.

Rooting is following, and I don't do that, but I'd like to see the Phillies win because I love Philadelphia.

I was probably in the best shape of any athlete at the time, but you don't get to pass judgment on yourself.

That's the past. I don't agree with retrospect.

I threw all my pitches over the top which was important for me because my slider was hard to tell from my fastball at release.

To pick up the paper and read about yourself getting slammed, that doesn't start your day off right.

So what I did on the field was the essence of what I am. Remember me like that.