Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
David Mark Winfieldis an American former Major League Baseballright fielder. He is currently special assistant to the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. Over his 22-year career, he played for six teams: the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Indians...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth3 October 1951
CitySaint Paul, MN
CountryUnited States of America
Baseball realizes it's not the only game in town. You have to do these kinds of things to introduce people to baseball.
I guess I'm the only guy old enough to figure him (Nolan Ryan, 1-Hitter Game in 1991) out.
There is no way, believe me, despite my name being Winfield, and loving the game dearly. It wasn't in the cards. I didn't know what it was going to take to get here.
All though I didn't meet him. His legend and his saga and his story is just that. Jackie Robinson, we all have to tip our hat to him. Because he made the game available to guys like me.
People I look to: again, Hank Aaron, man you challenged the status quo and the records of the game. Monumental feats in an era where people didn't like that.
I chose baseball because to me baseball is the best game of all.
He was the first person I met in pro ball because we both wore a size 14 shoe. He had interesting comments on exactly how far to stand away from the plate. He introduced me to the importance of being prepared for everything that you do. I took that in, on calling games and accepting responsibilities as a catcher.
Those are real heroes. Hilton Smith, guys that played in the Negro Leagues, never got a chance in the Major Leagues. But you kept on playing.
Now it's on to May, and you know about me and May.
I am truly sorry that a fowl of Canada is no longer with us.
But I'll tell you this, it started with my mother. I have to give her. God bless her and rest her soul. I had a good foundation at home, so when I was able to go off and do these things in baseball there was always support.
To give you an idea what it feels like to be going in with some of the best baseball players of all-time, I mean it is fantastic. I have to say this about them, there are so many of these guys up here that were my role models, people I looked up to, people I wanted to be like.
There are a lot of people who influenced me, nurtured me, helped me along the way. But I can just recall looking back, the first time I got my baseball glove. Put it on the wrong hand, all those kind of things.
It won't taint (his memory). Leave it alone.