Everybody goes through some tough times in their life, no matter what you do. Man, I've had my tough times.

Everybody goes through some tough times in their life, no matter what you do. Man, I've had my tough times.

I just love the feeling from the fans and when I'm walking on deck I can hear people screaming and wishing you the best. That puts you into the game more than anything.

The DOCF all started when I made a trip to a local hospital in the Dominican Republic. I was visiting children who had received life-saving heart care operations. I couldn't help but think that in another life, one of these kids could be my own son. If it wasn't for baseball, I may have remained in the Dominican Republic and who knows where life would have taken me. It was then that I knew that I had to use the gift that I received, to play baseball, to do whatever I could to give back.

I'm just trying to work hard every day, trying to be a better player and one day, to be right there with them, one of those special hitters.

I stress a lot, sometimes.

I just swing hard in case I hit it -- that's it.