They developed a platform for me to put up another 12 years, and that was my ticket to Cooperstown. Those were the best years of my life. It was like magic.

Quote by Dennis Eckersley

Topics: Dennis Eckersley Quotes

When I first came up, the bullpen was pretty much where they put the guys...

When I first came up, the bullpen was pretty much where they put the guys...

Then you figure out that if you don't throw it as hard as you can,...

Then you figure out that if you don't throw it as hard as you can,...

You aren't going to stick around long with just two pitches.

You aren't going to stick around long with just two pitches.

I think today the players are too nice to one another, but that might change...

I think today the players are too nice to one another, but that might change...

Sooner or later you learn that you belong in the big leagues, and that makes...

Sooner or later you learn that you belong in the big leagues, and that makes...

But through experience I learned to control my body and locate the ball.

But through experience I learned to control my body and locate the ball.

I'm proud of the fact that I pitched almost 3,300 innings.

I'm proud of the fact that I pitched almost 3,300 innings.

I was in good control of my body, and I kept my head still.

I was in good control of my body, and I kept my head still.

Pitching... sometimes I did so poorly, it brought me to tears.

Pitching... sometimes I did so poorly, it brought me to tears.

I can't recall too much about pitching, but I do remember that I was anxious...

I can't recall too much about pitching, but I do remember that I was anxious...

That first year in Chicago was one of the most memorable in my career. Getting...

That first year in Chicago was one of the most memorable in my career. Getting...

The thing that got me over the hump was accepting that I had to do...

The thing that got me over the hump was accepting that I had to do...

My career spanned the era when relievers started to become more important.

My career spanned the era when relievers started to become more important.

I had never been to the playoffs, and it was exciting. The fans went through...

I had never been to the playoffs, and it was exciting. The fans went through...

But more important than personal awards is winning the World Series. That's the max that...

But more important than personal awards is winning the World Series. That's the max that...

Later, I could take something off my slider and I could make my fastball sink,...

Later, I could take something off my slider and I could make my fastball sink,...

It took me a few years to realize that throwing harder wasn't always better.

It took me a few years to realize that throwing harder wasn't always better.

I also think that I had great mechanics.

I also think that I had great mechanics.

Tony knew me both as an athlete and as a person. He cared for me...

Tony knew me both as an athlete and as a person. He cared for me...

When I started finishing games and coming off the field shaking hands, it was a...

When I started finishing games and coming off the field shaking hands, it was a...