People striving for approval from others become phony.

When I look at the records and see where my place in the history of the game (in Japan with Orix) might be, I guess you could say it was a good decision to come here. It's not just me. Maybe I'll have an effect on others in the international part of the game.

I'm told I either look bigger than I do on television or that I look smaller than I look on television. No one seems to think I look the same size.

Personally, I don't like the term 'success.' It's too arbitrary and too relative a thing. It's usually someone else's definition, not yours.

Some people enjoy taking a light stroll in the morning and that gives them relief and that sort of feeling. That is what I gain by practicing, by swinging the bat.

If I'm in a slump, I ask myself for advice.

I've always prided myself in not reveling in past accomplishments and focusing on future achievement, instead. That's been my career motto.