I don't try to hit the ball 500 feet. It looks good when you hit it 500 feet, but as long as it goes over the fence, it's a home run. When you swing hard, it takes a little bit of recognition away from you. The power you're trying to increase - you're not all the way through it with your vision.

Sometimes you just don't feel the same everyday, it doesn't matter what you do, but when you have people looking forward to seeing you perform for them, that puts you in the mood, and that's natural in Boston. That's why it's such a special place to play.

My parents always told me to stay away from trouble. When I moved away from them at a young age, I was fine because they taught me how to do everything right.

I'm the kind of a player who, if you give me something good to hit, I'm going to swing at it. Otherwise, there's nothing else you can do.

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.

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

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