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I thought I was a pretty good shortstop, but I also wanted to play in the major leagues.

I think the one thing that athletics prepared me for that's been more beneficial than anything has been the humbling times.

I threw my best to every hitter I faced, and I found I had the strength to go all the way.

I wasn't athletic. I played baseball, but I was terrible.

I don't know whether it's the athlete in me or the passion I have for the game: I always think that I can step back on the field and play.

I think I rushed and I needed more time with my comeback. I needed more time to get my legs stronger to be able to handle the workload. You can only train for that by pitching innings. You can't simulate pitching off a mound in a game inside a weight room.

I was a professional athlete, the best baseball player in the world at one point.

When I was 16 years old, my brother Frank said, 'You'd better become a catcher, because you're too big and fat to do anything else.' Well, I took his advice. It was a quick way to get to the big leagues, and I've never regretted it.

It was part of my recruiting to go to Cal because they knew I loved to play baseball. I don't know if I was good enough to make the team, but I worked out with the guys, and it was a lot of fun.