BOSTON -- Quotes from Monday night's tribute to Ted Williams at Fenway Park:

''When he spoke, I hung on every word. You really do. You listen to every single thing he says and you remember it.''
-- Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra.

''Baseball excellence may be what Ted will be remembered for by most people, but his dedication to another kind of excellence as a Marine jet fighter pilot will be my best memory of him. He never held back.''
-- former Sen. John Glenn (D-Ohio), pilot who flew on the same plane as Williams on many Korean War missions.

''He was my very close friend. I will miss him, but many fond memories will help to fill the void.''
-- former teammate Dom Dimaggio.

''If anybody knew anything about hitting, it was Williams.''
-- former teammate and friend Johnny Pesky.

''I don't care what it was, when he went after it he excelled at it. Why? Because he practiced, studied it, worked at it, and I never saw a guy work as hard at his craft as he did. ... He was one of a kind.''
-- Williams' friend, fishing buddy and former Red Sox broadcaster Curt Gowdy.

''I said, 'I wish Ted was around. I need some extra hitting.' Ted was fishing somewhere in Nova Scotia. I don't know how Mr. Yawkey got a hold of him but the next day Ted Williams was at the ballpark, helping me out.''
-- Carl Yastrzemski, who took over in left field after Williams retired, on a conversation he had with former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey.

''If it wasn't for Ted Williams, I'm convinced that the Jimmy Fund would not be what it is today. ... He had made an impact, maybe more impact on fighting a disease than any other professional athlete in the history of this country.''
-- Mike Andrews, head of The Jimmy Fund for cancer research which Williams vigorously supported.

'' 'God could come down from heaven and he couldn't throw one past me.' I imagine there's some pretty interesting ball being played up there right now.''
-- filmmaker Ken Burns, whose documentaries include one on baseball, recalling a statement from Williams.

''... Ted Williams realized his dream. He wanted to be known as the greatest hitter who ever lived and he was. No matter the score, people would stay just to see him hit once more ...''
-- inscription on plaque honoring Williams to be hung in left field at Fenway Park.