When I got to professional ball I used to play 150 games every year. It depends on how many games there was.

At ten I was playing against 18-year-old guys. At 15 I was playing professional ball with the Birmingham Black Barons, so I really came very quickly in all sports.

Robinson was important to all blacks. To make it into the majors and to take all the name calling, he had to be something special. He had to take all this for years, not just for Jackie Robinson, but for the nation.

I always enjoyed playing ball, and it didn't matter to me whether I played with white kids or black. I never understood why an issue was made of who I played with, and I never felt comfortable, when I grew up, telling other people how to act.

A tragic irony of life is that we so often achieve success or financial independence after the chief reason for which we sought it has passed away.

At fifteen one is first beginning to realize that everything isn't money and power in this world, and is casting about for joys that do not turn to dross in one's hands.

When you play it too safe, you're taking the biggest risk of your life. Time is the only wealth we're given.

We live at the edge of the world, so we live on the edge. Kiwis will always sacrifice money and security for adventure and challenge.