It was a big deal for Hank Aaron to come around our neighborhood. That he was a black ballplayer in the pros meant a lot to us. If you were doing something like that, you got respect.

I don't know. I didn't see them. All I know is Hank Aaron didn't take them, Willie Mays didn't take them, Roberto Clemente didn't take them. If I saw them, I'd tell you.

More than anyone else, Hank Aaron made me wish I wasn't a manager.

I know Hank [ Aaron ] and Jackie [ Robinson ] took a good deal of crap, but I guarantee it wasn't for six years. I just keep thinking: How much am I supposed to take?

He's going to have nerves -- that's natural. Hank Aaron told me when I came up, 'It's natural to be nervous. Just don't be scared.' You wouldn't be human if you weren't nervous. But after you throw that first pitch or two, your nerves subside and it's the same game.

I guess anytime you are mentioned with Hank Aaron, it is the ultimate compliment, not only as a hitter, but obviously, the great ballplayer that he was.