The owner of the New York Yankees, Mr. George Steinbrenner who I had the greatest respect for, I want to thank him for giving me the opportunity to win that special ring in 1996.

I didn't get over 1300 walks without knowing the strike zone.

Looking back on those days and little leaguer, the Hall of Fame is not even a blinking star, but through baseball travels and moving up the ladder, that star begins to flicker.

I played the game one way. I gave it everything I had. It doesn't take any ability to hustle.

Then there's Johnny Pesky, hit me countless number of ground balls and improved my fielding so much.

Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but how we react to what happens, not by what life brings us but the attitude we bring to life.

Humbled by the fact that never in a million years would I ever thought that I would be on the same stage with all these great Hall of Famers and enshrined to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.