Steve Blass

And of course, I didn't have to pitch for the next four days.

Maz had to play the next day, and we got through with the game.

I said, Maz, you got through it.

He said, you know, every ball that went up in the air in the infield, I saw seven balls, and I caught them all.

So, I mean, he had a sense of humor, and I just cherished the time I had with him because you learn.

All I had to do when I was really early in my career, young, is watch and listen to those guys, Maz included,

to learn about, you know, a major leader, your responsibilities to your city, to your organization, to your teammates, how to deal with the fans and the kids and the media, you know, maybe where to go and not to go on the road or what to do and not to do.

And I learned by keeping my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open from that group.

And Mavs was at the forefront of that group.

Yeah, I've been there.

I've been there for some of those ceremonies.

And, you know, by the 406 sign.

And, yeah, all the memories.

And, you know, I was 18 years old.

So I graduated from high school in June, came, tried out, signed with the Pirates, played a couple months of minor league ball.

Then I worked for a carpenter in the offseason because my contract called for $250 a month.

So I went to work after my first year as an 18-year-old.

And I won $9 in a World Series pool because the winning run scored in the bottom of the ninth inning.

So Mavs got me off my feet financially, too.

Yeah, I've never forgotten it.