The first time I picked up a bat in a professional game, I hit a ball hard left-handed, and my first home run was so effortless, it surprised me.

I think hitting is more a mentality than a philosophy. A philosophy is somebody telling you the way they think it should be. Well, different people believe in different things. My thing is this: Be ready to hit.

I've got a fastball, change-up, forkball, curve, slider, knuckle-slider, knuckle-curve, I had about seven pitches I could have used at any time.

It's good to know you're working for someone you're familiar with, who's a friend and he has your back and you have his back also.

I'm at the point in my career where to be a winner is more important than any individual things.

I don't think much about whether fans will remember me.

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.