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.

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

Everything I was, physically and mentally, that's what I put on that field.

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

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

I took it personal. I got slammed quite a bit.

Pete Rose came over to the Phillies in '79 and he became the catalyst that helped us to put it all together.