He had such a flair. He had such a grace. He was a gentleman. I remember a royal essence about him. He was just so graceful. I wouldn’t dare say that I had an arm like Clemente, [but] I used to catch like Roberto. I stepped into the box like Roberto. Tried to be like Roberto. He was my baseball hero. He was the first hero I had. Big time. I even have an autographed Roberto Clemente baseball at home.

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Now, don't get me wrong. I like baseball. I played it when I was growing up — my hero was Roberto Clemente. But you have to be a die-hard fan for baseball. What are there — 162 games in baseball? (My wife once asked me: "When does the season start? When does it end?") I just can't keep interested over the long haul. I really don't get interested until it reaches the playoffs and the .