Stubbornness usually is considered a negative; but I think that trait has been a positive for me.

My approach to every game was to try to erase the games that were before and try to focus on the game at hand.

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.'

The last thing you want to do is go down in the history of All-Star game competition as the only injury (his nose was broken by Roberto Hernandez) sustained during the team picture.

As long as I can compete, I won't quit.

Whether your name is (Lou) Gehrig or (Cal) Ripken, (Joe) DiMaggio or (Jackie) Robinson, or that of some youngster who picks up his bat or puts on his glove, you are challenged by the game of baseball to do your very best day in and day out. That's all I've ever tried to do.

What keeps me going? I guess it's just a desire to keep trying to contribute and do things in life.