I'm not a real vocal guy, but sometimes you need to kick someone in the ass.

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

Playing the game was the easy part. The real work was in the preparation.

I truly believe my job starts the minute I leave the baseball field. Going out and catching ground balls and hitting, that's a job, and that's what I've wanted to do ever since I was a kid. But when you think about leaving that field, that's when the job and the demands really start. In New York, Seattle, every city. The community, the media, business stuff. You have to stay on a narrow path.

It's tougher when you're established. Before, I'd see 13, 14, 15 pitches that I could drive in a game. Now, I see one, two or three, so I have to be better.

I want to build a positive image that will last my career.

I believe a champion wins in his mind first, then plays the game, not the other way around.