My major league debut came at old Busch Stadium on Grand Avenue in St. Louis against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

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

I trained myself to perform on the field.

(Mike) Schmitty provided what the relief pitchers need most, home runs and great defense. He's the best third baseman that I ever played with, and maybe of all-time. Obvious Hall of Famer, even then. He retired while on top of his game. I thought for sure he was going to hit 600 home runs.

The final release point for the fastball is the tips of your fingers.

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.