I hated that SOB when he was playing but as I got older I grew to appreciate the way he played the game and the passion he had for it. I met Pete in Las Vegas a few years ago. I had no idea he was there but saw him sitting there at a table by himself as I passed a store in the Mandalay Bay. I had to go in there. It was very early for Las Vegas (around 9:00 or so) and I was the only customer in the store. I purchased my item and got him to sign it. He was very pleasant and cordial and asked me to take a seat. We chit chatted for a few minutes. I asked him if he hated Gene Garbor for striking him out and ending his 44 game hitting streak. He laughingly said, "I hated him way before that". I then asked him what pitcher was the hardest for him to hit. His answer, "Randy Jones of the San Diego Padres". Jones was a soft tossing lefty. Wasn't the answer I expected considering he started playing in 1963 and faced the likes of Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal, Steve Carlton, Sandy Koufax, etc. RIP to the toughest SOB to ever strap on a pair of cleats.