Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
David Mark Winfieldis an American former Major League Baseballright fielder. He is currently special assistant to the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Over his 22-year career, he played for six teams: the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Indians...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth3 October 1951
CitySaint Paul, MN
CountryUnited States of America
He didn't bask in fame or glory or the money he made. He relished in the notion that a little short kid from the projects in Chicago couldn't accomplish anything in life.
He was the first person I met in pro ball because we both wore a size 14 shoe. He had interesting comments on exactly how far to stand away from the plate. He introduced me to the importance of being prepared for everything that you do. I took that in, on calling games and accepting responsibilities as a catcher.
Roberto Clemente, not only because you played right field like it was supposed to be played, but your humanitarian efforts will live on forever.
It won't taint (his memory). Leave it alone.
I chose baseball because to me baseball is the best game of all.
Tom Cruise only makes one or two film appearances a year. A baseball player can be the hero or the goat one-hundred and sixty-two times a year.
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.
All good balls to hit are strikes, though not all strikes are good balls to hit.
I've experienced a lot of things in baseball, but I've never been traded during a strike. At least I know I'll be in a new uniform the next time I put one on.
I'm just glad to get off three-hundred ninety-nine (career home runs). It sounds like something you'd purchase at a discount store.
The only players that are having fun are those having a good year, feasting on pitching or blowing down hitters and garnering all the adulation that goes with it. But, if you're not hitting or not throwing well, or are injured, you better look for fun someplace else.
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.
Good hitters don't just go up and swing. They always have a plan. Call it an educated deduction. You visualize. You're like a good negotiator. You know what you have, you know what he has, then you try to work it out.