Dave Winfield

And then 45 years later, as I finished my career in the great city of Cleveland, that was another great way to end my career, going to the World Series. ”

The people like the American Legion Post that gave us a chance to play. A place to play and a chance to play. ”

You know, many of you kids can't relate to what it takes to get to the top rung, the top of the heap, to have success. We're looking for things that come in a minute. It just doesn't happen. ”

There is no way, believe me, despite my name being Winfield, and loving the game dearly. It wasn't in the cards. I didn't know what it was going to take to get here. ”

The sooner I get into the Hall of Fame the better. ”

But I'll tell you this, it started with my mother. I have to give her. God bless her and rest her soul. I had a good foundation at home, so when I was able to go off and do these things in baseball there was always support. ”

You know, heroes are ordinary people that have achieved extraordinary things in life. ”

You have to go understand that life and baseball is littered with all kinds of obstacles and problems along the way. You have to learn how to overcome them to be successful in life. ”

And I found out, the other part of it is that I found out and in my desire to life successfully, that baseball fit very well into my life. It's been a great teacher, trainer, mentor and you'll see what I mean in the next few minutes that I have to speak. ”

These days baseball is different. You come to spring training, you get your legs ready, you arms loose, your agents ready, your lawyer lined up. ”