You've gotta find a way to get out of your own way, so you can progress in life.
So what I did on the field was the essence of what I am. Remember me like that.
I trained myself to perform on the field.
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.
(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.
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.
It (the slider) just rolls off of your index finger and begins it's spin which will take it down and across the plate (hopefully). Just remember not to twist your elbow or wrist. It should be thrown, with the wrist and grip set, just like your fastball, slightly off center - with the same velocity and intensity.
Rooting is following, and I don't do that, but I'd like to see the Phillies win because I love Philadelphia.
Pete Rose came over to the Phillies in '79 and he became the catalyst that helped us to put it all together.
I was probably in the best shape of any athlete at the time, but you don't get to pass judgment on yourself.
The final release point for the fastball is the tips of your fingers.
Everything I was, physically and mentally, that's what I put on that field.
To pick up the paper and read about yourself getting slammed, that doesn't start your day off right.
I took it personal. I got slammed quite a bit.
To get the feel of how the slider should roll off of your index finger, use this grip and practice at half speed and roughly half the distance to the mound.
That's the past. I don't agree with retrospect.
But I would say basically, I would just like to be remembered for what I did on the field.
My major league debut came at old Busch Stadium on Grand Avenue in St. Louis against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
