I'm focussing on what I haven't attained, not what I have. A lot has come to me early. I don't want to get consumed with that. 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. My goal is to play one full game in the now, but I haven't even gotten past the first inning yet. I start thinking about where my mom is or if my dogs have been fed. The average human has 2,000 thoughts a day. The really accomplished have 1,500 because you can focus longer. I need to learn how to focus longer.

I've learned in my career, it is much better to be recognized for all the great things you do on the field.

Michael Jordan told me the way he kept the crown was by always outworking everyone else because he knew everyone was always coming after him. You can sneak up on people when you are 18, 19, 20. 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've never experienced- besides the birth of my two daughters-the feeling of winning a world championship in New York in the new stadium. It's something I'll never forget.

I want to be known as Dominican-that's what I am, 100 percent ... I have a duty and responsibility to continue the legacy of Dominicans in baseball.

I want to be the best, and the best work. You have to earn what you get, and you have to work to keep it.

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