My mother's the most special person in my life ... I consider her my MVP: Most Valuable Parent.

You always dream about being on a baseball card. It's kind of funny when you finally see it.

I've never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I've always been a very strong, dominant position. And I felt that if I did my work as I've done since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn't have a problem competing at any level. So, no.

I don't expect people to feel sorry for me. My teammates get more upset about the criticism and booing than I do.

It takes a lot of pressure off you just to go out and play, and your talent sometimes shines even more when you don't worry about individual stuff.

Winners live in the present tense. People who come up short are consumed with future or past. I want to be living in the now.

Fear of failure is what fuels me, keeps me on edge and sharp. I'm not as good when I'm comfortable.