I played with the Birmingham Black Barons. I was making 500 at 14. That was a lot of money in those days.

At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball with the Birmingham Black Barons, so I really came very quickly in all sports.

I don't rate them, I just hit them.

I think I was programmed to do good things when I came into the majors. I knew how to play.

In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated.

One of the hardest parts of practice is the criticism a player takes from his coaches. Some players think a coach has it in for them when a flaw in style is pointed out ... I know that when things start going wrong, for one, I get the coach to keep his eye on me to see what I'm suddenly doing wrong. I can't see it or I wouldn't be doing it in the first place.

When I got to professional ball I used to play 150 games every year. It depends on how many games there was.