I have to choose my words carefully because I don't want to sound like one of those who goes on about how things were better in my day.

I made the Dixie Heights High School baseball team as an 8th grader and went on to have a very successful career. I was all state both my junior and senior years leading our team 3 district championships and 1 regional championship in 2001 which hadn't happened since 1991. My number has since been retired at Dixie Heights and a banner hangs from the outfield fence with my name and number on it.

It was nothing personal: if it had been, I would have left him on so he could have suffered like everyone else.

I first reported to our Marlins spring training complex in Jupiter as well as the other draft picks to receive physicals and to sign contracts. From there I flew to Jamestown, NY to play for the Jamestown Jammers.

I do my best to answer all questions that they might have as well as make appearances at camps and what not.

You go to Holland, France, Germany, every community, the tiniest village, they have magnificent, pristine sports facilities.

There's a famous saying: "If you pass the square ball in your own defensive third it must not be intercepted."