When I first got to the majors in 2004, female fans held up signs asking me to marry them. Those girls today were what, 13, 14? I'm 23, but that's a little young even for me.

Sure, finishing last has negative connotations. But finishing second-to-last or last is still losing.

An excess of development can undermine the most ephemeral but distinctive tool a writer possesses: authorial voice. A writer's voice is as individual and marked as a thumbprint, and is a playwright's truest imprimatur. It is as innate as breathing, and can be as unique as any genetic code. By its very singular nature, it is seldom born in the act of collaboration. True authorial voice always pre-dates the first rehearsal of a text. And it is - and will always be - an author's most distinguishing and valuable feature.

I take great pride in going out there and playing through pain.

There's a lot more to playing in the big leagues in New York than just the baseball part.

I don't care how much I'm talked about or hyped. It's still up to me to go out and perform.

I take positives out of negatives all the time.