When I was 11, I spent eight months in the hospital with rheumatic fever and almost died. Rod Carew More Quotes by Rod Carew More Quotes From Rod Carew When you've learned to believe in yourself, there's no telling how good a player you can be. That's because you have the mental edge. Rod Carew basketball baseball believe Hitting is an art, but not an exact science. Rod Carew exact-sciences hitting art There is a special sensation in getting good wood on the ball and driving a double down the left-field line as the crowd in the ballpark rises to its feet and cheers. But, I also remember how much fun I had as a skinny barefoot kid hitting a tennis ball with a broomstick on a quiet, dusty street in Panama. Rod Carew cheer fun kids There was a point at which I thought I'd never get the most valuable player, especially the years I played at Minnesota. We never won a pennant there, we were far away from the big media centers of Los Angeles and New York, and I wasn't a flashy power hitter but a guy who hit to spots, who bunted and stole bases. Rod Carew media player new-york Do you believe you're a starter or a benchwarmer? Do you believe you're an all-star or an also- ran? If the answers to these questions are the latter, your play on the field will reflect it. But when you've learned to shut off outside influences and believe in yourself, there's no telling how good a player you can be. Rod Carew stars inspirational sports The way they dress here (California), your head is always in the stands. All those bikinis, your eyes get tired. Rod Carew california tired eye I get a kick out of watching a team defense me. A player moves two steps in one direction and I hit it two steps the other way. It goes right Stan Musialby his glove and I laugh. Rod Carew team baseball moving You just can't spend any time second-guessing yourself. Rod Carew yourself just you time We have to help others. I hope that some of the young players today understand that. It's not about them. The Man Upstairs gave them that ability to play, and play consistently, but he also wants them to open their hearts and understand that people need their help. Rod Carew man hope today people Every time I come back to the Twin Cities, I feel like I'm coming back home. Rod Carew feel back home time I always felt like I was healthy; I never felt like anything was wrong with me. Until the morning that I had a massive heart attack. On the golf course, by myself. Rod Carew myself me heart morning Get your heart checked. I've always looked at myself as healthy, but I wasn't. Rod Carew your myself always heart I get a kick out of watching a team defense me. A player moves two steps in one direction and I hit it two steps the other way. It goes right by his glove and I laugh. Rod Carew laugh me team way Your first hit in the majors - that's tops. It means you're on your way. When you get the first hit, then you can get the rest. Rod Carew your rest you way Harmon Killebrew was a gem. I can never thank him enough for all I learned from him. He was a consummate professional who treated everyone from the brashest of rookies to the groundskeepers to the ushers in the stadium with the utmost of respect. Rod Carew professional never respect i-can Three thousand hits is something that should stand for itself. Rod Carew stand something three should Our commitment to coaches will be realized via TeamCarew, a grassroots marketing program that will provide them with insight and tools to teach the art and science of hitting. Rod Carew will science commitment art My daughter told me, 'Daddy, if I don't make it, I don't want you to stop helping these other kids.' So that's where I've been able to go on. I tell people - and I really believe this - I didn't lose a daughter; I gained so many other kids. Rod Carew me you daughter people I go back to when my youngest daughter was dying. I never asked my Friend Upstairs, 'Why me?' And He's the only one who has the answers. Rod Carew friend never me daughter I think the Angels could use me the most. The Angels don't have a day-to-day first baseman. Rod Carew angels first think me
