I found out early in life that I could hit a baseball farther than most players and that's what I tried to do.

How the hell can you play here?

Joe Mauer's the real deal. He is absolutely wonderful. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great human being. He's the kind of guy you'd like to see be your son.

When I was 14, and for the next four years, I was lifting and hauling 10-gallon milk cans full of milk. That will put muscles on you even if you're not trying.

I didn't have evil intentions, but I guess I did have power.

I was set to go to Oregon to play college baseball and football.

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, 'You're tearing up the grass'; 'We're not raising grass,' Dad would reply. 'We're raising boys.'