If you’re talking about everything included—selling the game of baseball, public relations, popularity off the field as well as on the field, versatility playing more than one position, hitting the baseball from both sides—I’m number one. That’s why I make the most money.

I don’t even know what a legend is. A legend is old times. A legend to me is something like a Jesse James or Bat Masterson or somebody like that. Jesse James. Babe Ruth is a legend, I guess. I have a lot better chance of being a legend if I get Stan Musial’s record [for most hits in the National League]. You know, I will become the number-one hitter in the history of our league. That is really something to work for. How many guys in the history of this league do you think have a chance to do that?

How would I describe me? Well, I have fun. I play the game with enthusiasm. I play unorthodox. I’m not graceful. You know, most guys are graceful. But I’m not one of those guys that everything’s got to look smooth. I swing good. But I’m not smooth when I catch a ball. I’m not smooth when I run. But I just play like a roughneck. I play baseball like a football player would play it. I’m hard and I’m tough.

Well, some people will call me cocky and arrogant, but I’m not arrogant. I’m just confident.

Probably the most eccentric guy I ever played with was Pedro Borbon. He’ll pitch his ass off any time they ask him and if there’s a fight, he’ll be the first one there. He’s the type of guy if he gets in a fight, you just have to kill him to stop him. He don’t give a shit about nothin’. Just a nice, even-tempered guy, but if you push him the wrong way, he’s got that Latin temper and he can get his dander up real good.