Somebody once asked me if I ever went up to the plate trying to hit a home run. I said, 'Sure, every time.'
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
When I was up there at the plate, my purpose was to get on base anyway I could, whether by hitting or by getting hit.
It seemed like I always did some great hitting in Brooklyn. The field there was close to the stands. Every time I started walking to the plate, I could hear the fans say, 'Here comes that man again. Here comes that man.'
I was afraid if I started to hit home runs, my average would drop.
You hit home runs not by chance but by preparation.
I'm sure people will wonder if I could have hit all those home runs had I never taken steroids.
When you're going into a game, you're not expected to hit a home run every game. You're just doing everything proper with proper swings.
When I hit a home run I usually didn't care where it went. So long as it was a home run was all that mattered.
When I hit, I felt I was in control of the home-plate area, and it was important that I felt that way. If I let the pitcher control it, it would give him an advantage.
Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.
I don't try to hit home runs. I just try to meet the ball and get base hits.