I think baseball has moved on in many ways and the focus on the competitions on the field is really what the game is all about. It seems to be healthy. It seems more people are watching it.

I take pride in the fact that you are able to make some good contributions to the sport at certain times.

Each and every day had its challenges.

I kept thinking, 'this must be the coolest job - I'd like to be a professional baseball player.' They were getting paid to play a game, and what a cool lifestyle that was.

I think Nick Markakis is a perennial All-Star, and nobody knows about him. I think people are learning about how good he is.

Get in the game. Do the best you can. Try to make a contribution. Learn from today. Apply it to tomorrow.

I'd like to be remembered. I'd like to think that someday two guys will be talking in a bar and one of them will say something like, 'Yeah, he's a good shortstop, but he's not as good as ole Ripken was.'