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I love baseball. I'll probably end up one of those old farts who go to spring training in Florida every year and drive from game to game all day.
I had only played five games in my senior year in high school. I was not large enough. Hell, when I graduated, I was about five foot four and weighed 120 pounds. I didn't go with the Dodgers until spring training of 1940 and I weighed all of 155 pounds soaking wet.
For some reason in Spring Training, everything just clicked. You don't try to do anything in Spring Training but get ready, but things fell into place.
I've always approached spring training as I have something to prove.
The last two times I went to spring training, I had to win a job, and if I didn't get off to a blazing start, I'm on the bench. Now, I've proven myself, so it's not essential that I get off to a real good start.
Mickey Mantle was a very good golfer, but we weren't allowed to play golf during the season; only at spring training.
I've kind of looked at my whole career as a spring training invite.
Before I pitch any game, from spring training to Game 7 of the World Series, I'm scared to death.
It's the fans that need spring training. You gotta get 'em interested. Wake 'em up and let 'em know that their season is coming, the good times are gonna roll.
I come to spring training and just try to do my job, try to do the best I can. That's all any player can do.
