It doesn't seem like it's been 50 years. I don't even feel like I'm 50 years old yet, though I've had all these knee and back operations.

I had pain in both knees my whole career. Not many athletes play pain-free. Mine was just more than normal.

Even during my career, when I read all those great things about me, it's almost like I was reading about someone else. It's almost like there was another person.

I was doing what I love to do: play baseball. Not going to complain about that.

I could run like a gazelle, couldn't I?

I enjoyed hitting in the Major Leagues more than in the Minor Leagues. I didn't want to tell anybody it was easier, because I didn't want to sound cocky. But Major League pitchers had better control, and most of them were around the plate.

Ballplayers, like everyone else, like to get told they did something right.