Made it through high school, went to the University of Minnesota. by Dave Winfield

Made it through high school, went to the University of Minnesota.

Dave Winfield

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Categorized in : School Sports Minnesota

You know, many of you kids can't relate to what it takes to get to the top rung, the top of the heap, to have success. We're looking for things that come in a minute. It just doesn't happen.

perseverance success sports

And then 45 years later, as I finished my career in the great city of Cleveland, that was another great way to end my career, going to the World Series.

cities sports years

There is no way, believe me, despite my name being Winfield, and loving the game dearly. It wasn't in the cards. I didn't know what it was going to take to get here.

games sports believe

Everybody faces obstacles. And I looked to people who had been through many to succeed in life. Abraham Lincoln, born to a poor family, faced defeat through most of his life. Lost eight elections, failed two businesses, had a nervous breakdown, and still became president.

eight two people

Everyone has a breaking point, turning point, stress point, the game is permeated with it. The fans don't see it because we make it look so efficient. But internally, for a guy to be successful, you have to be like a clock spring, wound but not loose at the same time.

stress spring sports

I guess I'm the only guy old enough to figure him (Nolan Ryan, 1-... by Dave Winfield

I guess I'm the only guy old enough to figure him (Nolan Ryan, 1-Hitter Game in 1991) out.

guy enough games

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.

careers home running

Now it's on to May, and you know about me and May. by Dave Winfield

Now it's on to May, and you know about me and May.

now know me you

I am truly sorry that a fowl of Canada is no longer with us. by Dave Winfield

I am truly sorry that a fowl of Canada is no longer with us.

us i-am canada sorry

To give you an idea what it feels like to be going in with some of the best baseball players of all-time, I mean it is fantastic. I have to say this about them, there are so many of these guys up here that were my role models, people I looked up to, people I wanted to be like.

say best you people

There are a lot of people who influenced me, nurtured me, helped me along the way. But I can just recall looking back, the first time I got my baseball glove. Put it on the wrong hand, all those kind of things.

me looking-back time people

But I'll tell you this, it started with my mother. I have to give her. God bless her and rest her soul. I had a good foundation at home, so when I was able to go off and do these things in baseball there was always support.

good god mother home