Athlete Quotes

It hurt me a great deal. It put a lot of pressure on me because I was at a young age and the writers around here and throughout the league starting comparing me to Cobb. It put a lot of pressure on me.

I'll never forget that first night with the team. Going to the ballpark on the bus was the hardest 30 minutes of my life. I had to walk down that aisle between all the players. I really didn't know too much about the Detroit Tigers at that time.

I was very, very shocked about Cooperstown. I thought my chances were fairly good, but I tried to stay low key about it, not too high and not too low. That was the way I played, too.

I started in for the ball but I just couldn't get it. I should have caught it because I was used to catching everything on the sandlots. But they hit the ball a lot harder in the major leagues and I just couldn't reach the ball this time.

Carl Yastrzemski was the best all-around player. He could run, throw and hit. He had the ability to play a number of different positions. He signed as a shortstop. He could play the outfield, of course, and third base and first, too. He was a tremendous athlete. Mickey Mantle was unbelievable, too.

As the days went on, I didn't mind the games. In fact, I looked forward to them. That was the easiest part of all. I couldn't wait to get to the ballpark I'd be the first one there and I was willing to do anything. I think that's why the veterans liked me.

All of a sudden I'm in the major leagues and we're traveling from town to town. I see the other players dressing different every day. I've got only one suit and I keep wearing it over and over. I'm really embarrassed.

I didn't know who was on the team, but I saw every eye as I walked down the aisle. It looked like a thousand eyes were staring right at me saying, 'Who is this young punk?' I just kept my eyes straight ahead.

When you look at our programme for the next few weeks, you do not fancy a trip to the Oktoberfest.

This match is about sport and I separate that completely from politics.

There is no reason to change this system. I don't think we'll abandon it. For us the most important thing is to be compact in the back. That's the kind of game we have to play here and it will be very difficult to beat us.

If I play, I try to concentrate on producing my best.

I have a feeling we are going to be world champions, I can't really explain why. Brazil are probably the best team in the world in terms of individual players. But the team with the most gifted players do not always win.

Complaining and arguing will not help. We are fully concentrating on the game against the Czechs.

A Germany team should not be afraid going into a tournament. History shows that we can raise the level of our game when it matters.

We are Bayern Munich and English teams always have trouble as soon as they leave the island.

If we perform as a unit and if every single player gives it his very best, everything can happen.

Every day of the year where the water is 76, day and night, and the waves roll high, I take my sled, without runners, and coast down the face of the big waves that roll in at Waikiki.

Don't talk - keep it in your heart.

Just take your time - wave comes. Let the other guys go, catch another one.

Out of the water, I am nothing.

I have never seen snow and do not know what winter means.

I have never coasted down a hill of frozen rain.

There's no way I would have thought I would have had the career that I did and the longevity. Absolutely no idea.

The lack of sweat to get a win is probably a record for me.

Sometimes you're only human and you learn.

No matter how many years you play, it's always something new and exciting. It's sports, you never know what may happen.

Leaf fans loyalty is unshakeable. The fans keep coming back and it hurts, I have been there. I have lost in game six to go to the finals with the Maple Leafs, against Carolina and what a great final that would have been.

It's important for me to have my family close.

I've got a lot to look forward to. I'm trying to be the best father I can, and that's a pretty important role. Some would say it's more important than stopping pucks.