I don't care if people like me or not. Respect is more important.

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

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.

Baseball has a funny way to tap you on the shoulder when you least expect it and tells you it's the end.

We (Derek Jeter and I) want to kill each other. I think we both drive each other and motivate each other. But, when we're off the field, we're like family. I think the nice thing about it is we became good friends before we even mad it to the big leagues. That makes it more of a healthy relationship.

I had a great year and left my guts out on the field.

I have incredible motivation to go out and improve every day.