But the Twins opened the fifth with their second and third hits, and Beltre helped Hernandez by taking his bullet throw for a force at third on a bunt try. I felt it, ... My only worry was that he didn't throw me a sinker. He threw hard, but a good fastball.

2004 has to be my year. No more excuses.

I'm confident, but not so confident that I'm cocky.

I'm not perfect. Nobody's perfect. But I love baseball and I love to play hard.

I'm not a rookie anymore-no more excuses about being young.

When you go to home plate with a lot of confidence, you feel that you can hit any pitch.

I'm an immigrant myself. I'd probably support it, but I can't do much.