You must be present to win.

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.

We have a responsibility not just as atheletes, but as members of society to treat people well. To do things the right way.

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

Looks aren't the number one thing. They have to have class, intelligence, then looks. If I was the ugliest SOB in the world it would be a lot easier.

Leadership is a role you have to earn in order to be effective.

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.