I'm pretty much right on schedule. Start off slow, finish up strong. I don't know why everyone panics. I've been doing this for ten years now. Why change?

I mean, people think I'm too intense for baseball. I've always excelled to be the best, no matter what, but it's like people think something is wrong with that.

People want me to do things, be a certain way and that's not going to happen. I'm going to be Albert Belle.

I think a lot of people are aware of the things I do, but maybe because of who I am, they don't want to report the good things about Albert Belle.

I'm the kind of person that as long as you respect me and don't distract me before the game, then I'll respect you in return and accommodate you after the game. Sometimes the situation dictates that I talk, but everybody should understand I'm not going to talk every day, whether we're in first place or last place.

It's going to be tough (winning the MVP Award). I'm not really considered a media darling.

People don't need to know what Albert Belle is thinking. I've learned from my mistakes in the past, and that's what's made me a better person.