Until spring training in 1946, the only time I pitched was in 1945 in the GI World Series.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I pitched and I played the outfield.
I had 12 years under my belt of baseball at the amateur level before I got to the big leagues.
I remember one game when I pitched in Yankee Stadium and gave up five runs in the first inning. It would have been easy to quit, but I shut 'em out the rest of the way, and we came back and won the game.
I was a professional baseball player from the time I was drafted out of high school in 1981 until the time I retired in 2003.
I've pitched too many innings and pitched too many years - one game doesn't make or break my career.
I began playing in the senior circuit when I was 15 and won the world senior amateur title the same year.
I loved being back out on the pitch. Although I have not been in full training, I felt pretty good.
I went into the Air Corps from 1943 through 1945.
I went on inactive duty in August 1945, and since I had stayed in such good shape and had played ball on military teams, I was ready to start for the Indians just two days later, against the Tigers.
It was in 1942 and I flew from St. Louis to Mexico City. I had just gotten married and we were on our honeymoon. I hit .397 and led the Mexican League with 20 home runs and was named the MVP of the league. It's when I realized I could compete with anyone at any level.