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

I try to do things the right way.

I'm the same guy I've always been. I'm the same guy now as when I was hitting 50 home runs. I don't change.

This is our f---g city. And nobody is going to dictate our freedom.

Some people think I'm mean, until they get to know me.

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 start thinking about life after death. I've got to quit thinking about it because it's very deep. Very deep. Sometimes you start thinking about it, and you don't feel like you want to be alive, so I don't like to get all quiet.