But hitting is so crazy. You feel great today and get three hits. And the next day you show up and it's, 'What happened to my mechanics? Where's my swing?' Sometimes I even Google it and the search comes up with no results.
Every day I went to the ballpark in Yankee Stadium as well as on the road people were on my back. The last six years in the American League were mental hell for me. I was drained of all my desire to play baseball.
I'm forever a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Apparently I've picked the worst baseball team in the world.
It was so difficult for the fans to understand my problems with baseball.
I couldn't throw, run, hit, or hit for power.
I believe in our players. That's why they're here. I also know slumping is part of baseball. What's surprising is sometimes when it lasts awhile, for really good players when it lasts awhile.
And I'd be lying if I told you that as a black man in baseball I hadn't gone through worse times than my teammates.
The fans have been great, they've stuck with me through a lot of hit-less years and I think they were as determined as I was that it was time to put an end to the lack of hits.
I just didn't have no edge for baseball. Once special coach Tony Oliva and former Twins coach Al Newman told me what happened, I couldn't function.
Going back down to the minors is the toughest thing to handle in baseball.
Baseball is a hard game. There's going to be ups and downs.
I remember I was a scared rookie, hitting .220 after the first three months of my baseball season, and doubting my ability.
I'd play for half my salary if I could hit in this dump all the time.
