Ryne Sandberg

I talk to the players, either individually or as a group, what I'm feeling, and I think the players appreciate that. And I think they respond to that.

I just appreciated so much the contract they gave me, and I wanted to give something back to the Cubs' organization.

I thought I was a pretty good shortstop, but I also wanted to play in the major leagues.

All it takes to play baseball is a strong arm, good speed, and the coordination to hit the ball. That's it.

I know I'm appreciated by how fans treat me, and the best way to treat them is play every day, hard. I sign autographs, but if I'm with someone I don't know who doesn't start the conversation, there won't be a conversation. That's just me, living my life. But I'll loosen up after baseball.

Am I impressed by myself? Nah, not really.

Even if we're in fifth place in September, I get butterflies before a game. I'm nervous.

There's nothing I would do differently, no wishing I had done this or done that.

I'm optimistic about the future.

I've been in baseball my whole life, so I understand there's a lot in baseball that is out of your control, and you have to focus on the things you can control.

It's hard for me to answer questions I haven't thought about.

I let the players use their abilities and what they're capable of doing. If they're capable of stealing bases, I'm going to give them the green light. I'm going to teach them to pick their spots and to get a base when they can get a base.

You don't get hits if you're depressed.

I do my homework. I come to the ballpark, and I relay any message that I need to relay to the players. I get that off my chest.

My style is I work hard at it. I feel like I'm prepared every day.

I am not the type of person who can leave my game at the ballpark and feel comfortable that my future is set regardless of my performance.

I came up under the wing of Larry Bowa, and one thing I did not do was ever take a day off from taking pregame groundballs or batting practice. Then the games were just having fun.

I was a hard worker.

Steve Bartman was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

They use the word 'integrity' in describing a Hall of Famer in the logo of the Hall of Fame, and I think there are gonna be quite a few players that are not going to get in.

Any time you're in the coaching business or managing in the minor leagues, when you see a player who has made it to the major leagues, you get a thrill out of that.

One of the first benchmarks in a season are far as at-bats is 100.

I'm not interested in on-the-job learning or on-the-job training.

You never forget the feeling of not getting to the World Series. Yes, it sticks with you.

You want to see energy, and you want to see guys on the same page. You want guys to work together and have that energy come out onto the field. That's a good place to start.

In other ways, one way to be in a lineup or stay in a lineup or stay in a spot is to produce.

If a hitter gets hot, I wouldn't take a hot hitter out of the lineup.

I've always had that attitude that things happen for a reason.

Baseball is all about relationships, and in some ways, what know you and who knows you.

Tainted numbers, I believe, do not belong in the Hall of Fame.

It was everyone going up there to swing for the fences, because the home runs were what would get them on 'SportsCenter.' That really changed the mindset of the players.

It's an elite group. And once you're in the Hall, you're in the Hall. Up until now, I think the voting system has handled things very well. And like I said before, there are no suspicions in the Hall of Fame.

I'm not a sportswriter. I don't get to vote. I don't get the ballot in the mail, so it's out of my hands either way. I can say that in the history of the Hall of Fame, there are no suspicions about guys who are in the Hall of Fame.

Time and time again, I see former teammates, and we talk about it. It feels like we are all on the same page: We enjoyed the regular season, but we were disappointed in not making the World Series.

There is a lot to managing, and with almost four years under my belt, I believe I'm ready.

I'm not thinking about records. Just winning the pennant would be exciting.

Football, I thought, would be a tough sport to make a living in. There is no minor league. You either make it to the NFL or you don't.

For me, the game starts with starting pitching.

When I'm arguing, I'm competing. I'm trying to win a game. And if that's what's called for, it's just a reaction.

I defend my players and coaches.

I have to do what I have to do, and you have to go where the opportunities are.

The Phillies liked the work I had done with the Cubs, and really wanted me there. They were on the phone as soon as my contract was up in Chicago, and it was just a great feeling to be wanted, to be appreciated for the work you do.

Your first responsibility is to the organization, to teach and prepare players to get to the big leagues and have them ready when they get there, but everyone in the minors wants to be in the majors.

When I was a minor league player, my goal was to be a major leaguer. It's no different as a minor league manager.

Typically, a position change is more for instructional league and winter time. It's just a more relaxed situation. A player can make some mistakes and learn from them. That's the proper way to go about a position change, for me.

The fourth major league game I ever saw in person, I was in uniform.

I was in the postseason twice and I'm thankful for that.

No player in baseball history worked harder, suffered more, or did it better than Andre Dawson. He's the best I've ever seen.

There was Shawon Dunston and Mark Grace, and together we were a double play combination for ten years.

If this validates anything, it's that learning how to bunt and hit and run and turning two is more important than knowing where to find the little red light at the dug out camera.