Ryne Sandberg
Steve Bartman was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I came up under the wing of Larry Bowa, and one thing I did not do was ever take a day off from taking pregame groundballs or batting practice. Then the games were just having fun.
I am not the type of person who can leave my game at the ballpark and feel comfortable that my future is set regardless of my performance.
My style is I work hard at it. I feel like I'm prepared every day.
I do my homework. I come to the ballpark, and I relay any message that I need to relay to the players. I get that off my chest.
I talk to the players, either individually or as a group, what I'm feeling, and I think the players appreciate that. And I think they respond to that.
I let the players use their abilities and what they're capable of doing. If they're capable of stealing bases, I'm going to give them the green light. I'm going to teach them to pick their spots and to get a base when they can get a base.
It's hard for me to answer questions I haven't thought about.
I've been in baseball my whole life, so I understand there's a lot in baseball that is out of your control, and you have to focus on the things you can control.
I'm optimistic about the future.
There's nothing I would do differently, no wishing I had done this or done that.
Even if we're in fifth place in September, I get butterflies before a game. I'm nervous.
Am I impressed by myself? Nah, not really.
I know I'm appreciated by how fans treat me, and the best way to treat them is play every day, hard. I sign autographs, but if I'm with someone I don't know who doesn't start the conversation, there won't be a conversation. That's just me, living my life. But I'll loosen up after baseball.
All it takes to play baseball is a strong arm, good speed, and the coordination to hit the ball. That's it.
I thought I was a pretty good shortstop, but I also wanted to play in the major leagues.
I just appreciated so much the contract they gave me, and I wanted to give something back to the Cubs' organization.
You don't get hits if you're depressed.
Typically, a position change is more for instructional league and winter time. It's just a more relaxed situation. A player can make some mistakes and learn from them. That's the proper way to go about a position change, for me.
When I was a minor league player, my goal was to be a major leaguer. It's no different as a minor league manager.
Your first responsibility is to the organization, to teach and prepare players to get to the big leagues and have them ready when they get there, but everyone in the minors wants to be in the majors.
The Phillies liked the work I had done with the Cubs, and really wanted me there. They were on the phone as soon as my contract was up in Chicago, and it was just a great feeling to be wanted, to be appreciated for the work you do.
I have to do what I have to do, and you have to go where the opportunities are.
I defend my players and coaches.
When I'm arguing, I'm competing. I'm trying to win a game. And if that's what's called for, it's just a reaction.
For me, the game starts with starting pitching.
Football, I thought, would be a tough sport to make a living in. There is no minor league. You either make it to the NFL or you don't.
I'm not thinking about records. Just winning the pennant would be exciting.
You never forget the feeling of not getting to the World Series. Yes, it sticks with you.
Time and time again, I see former teammates, and we talk about it. It feels like we are all on the same page: We enjoyed the regular season, but we were disappointed in not making the World Series.
I've spent 34 years associated with the Cubs, and part of the reason I've stayed in baseball is because I want to be part of a World Series winner.
It's an elite group. And once you're in the Hall, you're in the Hall. Up until now, I think the voting system has handled things very well. And like I said before, there are no suspicions in the Hall of Fame.
It was everyone going up there to swing for the fences, because the home runs were what would get them on 'SportsCenter.' That really changed the mindset of the players.
Tainted numbers, I believe, do not belong in the Hall of Fame.
Baseball is all about relationships, and in some ways, what know you and who knows you.
I've always had that attitude that things happen for a reason.
If a hitter gets hot, I wouldn't take a hot hitter out of the lineup.
In other ways, one way to be in a lineup or stay in a lineup or stay in a spot is to produce.
You want to see energy, and you want to see guys on the same page. You want guys to work together and have that energy come out onto the field. That's a good place to start.
I was taught you never, ever disrespect your opponent or your teammates or your organization or your manager, and never, ever your uniform.Collection: Sports
If you played the game the right way, played the game for the team, good things would happenCollection: Sports
I've been proud to be a lifelong Chicago Cub and still be with the Cubs. That's always been important to me and I think it's always been specialCollection: Sports
I was in awe every time I walked on to the fieldCollection: Sports
There's not too many guys that spend their whole career with one team and I think it's very fortunate and a blessing for meCollection: Sports
The fourth major league game I ever saw in person, I was in uniformCollection: Games
I played it right because that's what you're supposed to do – play it right and with respect.Collection: Sports
In baseball, there's always the next dayCollection: Baseball
If this validates anything, it's that learning how to bunt and hit-and-run and turning two is more important than knowing where to find the little red light on the dugout camera.Collection: Sports
My mom was at every single game I played as a kid, rain or shineCollection: Mom