Unparalleled in sports. (1) I grew up a Steelers fan, so I watched Steelers-Cowboys. Lakers-Celtics. I’ve never seen anything like this. The history makes it: The Yankees being the haves, the Red Sox being the have-nots.
But that doesn’t mean that that’s what’s going to happen this year. That’s the great thing about competition in sports. Somebody at some point is going to rise up and help Boston win that first one. I want to be one of those guys.
It’s not over yet. I envisioned coming here and being part of a world championship team for the first time in almost a century. That’s what you play for.
Nomar, if he stays healthy, is going to the Hall of Fame. I don’t think it’s any more Complicated than that.
Nothing’s more important. (2) The daily rewards. Stuff happens every day that’s irreplaceable, whether it be a conversation or an action or a reaction. They teach and reteach you on a daily basis.
As you get older, you tend to make life so much more complicated than it really is. Kids tend to simplify a lot of things.
My dad was a very quiet man. A man of few words, but allowed you to learn a lot of the hard lessons on your own, but was always there to fall back on. Incredible man.
As a Christian, I know I’m going to see my dad again someday. I just want to make sure I’ve never forgotten him. (3) He’s one of the reasons that I’m here. I still talk to him in that way a lot.
Johnny Podres was probably the biggest influence. He gave me confidence. Second is probably a combination of Maddux, Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, Glavine, Gibson, Feller–all of them.
I watch baseball all the time. Outside of the Lord and my family, baseball has given me everything. I’m not going to try and be one of those guys who acts like baseball is no big deal when I’m not playing.
I said it was “America’s Team against America’s Most Wanted.” (4)
It was the last thing I was expecting. (5)
It’s not something I dreamt about (6) because I never dreamt that big. It was an unbelievable experience.
Early on in my career when Roger sat me down, I didn’t take a lot of pride in my job. I didn’t understand what it took. He started to teach me some things about going out there every fifth day and taking your family name out there and your reputation.
Money is probably one of the most overrated things in the history of mankind.
A guy like Garth Brooks, who has really committed his life to doing things for other people. Scott Rolen. People you walk away from feeling good about human beings in general.
If I were commissioner I’d abolish the DH. I’d rather not face the DH.
I’m passionate about the game. I’m passionate about what I do.
I think there’s a lot of things I’ve heard about me that aren’t true. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I’m not afraid to put myself out there as far as my feelings go. A lot of people mistake me expressing my opinion with me expressing what I believe are facts.
Outside of the minute number of people I actually get a chance to meet and introduce myself to and get to know me, everybody on this planet gets to know me by what you write and what people report. And there are people in your business who don’t like me.
I will walk away from the game and be the same person I have been my whole career.
Tough times don’t last, tough people do. My dad told me that.
(1): The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.
(2): Raising children.
(3): Which is why he still leaves a ticket for his father for each home game he pitches.
(4): His description of the 1993 National League Championship Series between the Braves and Phillies.
(5): Joe Carter’s home run that ended the Phillies’ World Series dreams against Toronto in 1993.
(6): Starting a Game 7 of a World Series against Roger Clemens.
